The letter states that members can review the documents in person, provided they give the DOJ 24 hours’ notice. The option at this point is only available to members of Congress — and not their staff. They may take notes but can’t bring in any electronic devices, the letter said.
The review will only be of the 3 million files currently available to the public, not the extensive trove of more than 6 million documents in total that the DOJ says it has in its possession.
While I definitely think this is a move they forced into and hoping to use it later to say “stop pestering us about these files, we even let you see them all!”, I also think it might have some value there. If at least a few of them come prepared and genuinely care, they might come across information such as money trails involving client names, codes, global banks, etc. and then use that information to pressure those institutions.
Obviously the DOJ is complicit, but it can be ammunition for more pressure regardless.
Also, wouldn’t be surprised to hear members of congress complain to the media later that they were kicked out, or prevented from taking notes when they came across something worthwhile enough.
There are 259 dems in congress. Without looking them all up, I’ll pessimistically say half of them are young and lucid enough to actually do research on a computer. If those 130 people go in each with a handful of specific questions (redacted documents that look hella suspicious but need details filled in), I think they could get a lot of useful information.
None of this is to say “we’ve got trump this time!” But they could get information that concretely shows how the DOJ is covering for child rapists and violating the law. This will make a lot of news going into the mid terms and prompt numerous investigations, hopefully impeachments and resignations.
It’s not enough, but it does have some value.