DOJ — letters to Congress claiming "deliberative process" to hold back Epstein records: refused as "not reasonably described," no search done (FOIA-2026-04170)
What we asked for: Any written messages (notes, memos, letters) DOJ sent to Congress or a congressional committee that invoke the "deliberative process privilege" — the rule that lets an agency hold back its internal back-and-forth before a decision — as a reason for withholding records about Jeffrey Epstein or the Epstein Files Transparency Act, plus any legal memo or opinion supporting that claim. We said we were not asking for general emails.
What we got: Nothing. DOJ said the request is not described well enough to search, because it "does not identify an Office to search, Congresspersons or Congressional committees that you seek communications with, nor a date range of records." No search was done. The letter invites us to contact the office to reword the request.
Also in the letter: the same note about the office being closed October 1 – November 12, 2025, and 90 days to appeal.
View DOJ's letter Download PDF, 2 pages