In a significant development in the long-running saga of Jeffrey Epstein's criminal activities, Attorney General Pam Bondi announced on Saturday night that the Department of Justice has released all files related to the late sex offender, fulfilling obligations under the Epstein Transparency Act. The announcement came in a letter co-signed by Bondi and Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche, addressed to key lawmakers including Senate Judiciary Committee Chair Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), Ranking Member Dick Durbin (D-Illinois), House Judiciary Committee Chair Jim Jordan (R-Ohio), and Ranking Member Jamie Raskin (D-Maryland). The six-page document, first shared publicly by Politico senior legal affairs reporter Josh Gerstein on X, outlines the comprehensive release of records, documents, communications, and investigative materials in the DOJ's possession that relate to Epstein and his associate Ghislaine Maxwell.
The letter emphasizes that the department has complied fully with the Act's requirements, as described in prior submissions to the courts in the Southern District of New York handling the Epstein and Maxwell prosecutions. 'In accordance with the requirements of the Act, and as described in various Department submissions to the courts of the Southern District of New York assigned to the Epstein and [Ghislaine] Maxwell prosecutions and related orders, the Department released all “records, documents, communications and investigative materials in the possession of the Department” that “relate to” [Epstein],' the letter states. It also details the reasons for redactions, which were made in consultation with victim counsel and victims themselves, focusing on protecting personally identifiable information, personal and medical files, and other elements that could invade privacy. Importantly, the DOJ asserts that no records were withheld or redacted based on 'embarrassment, reputational harm, or political sensitivity, including to any government official, public figure, or foreign dignitary.'
One of the most attention-grabbing aspects of the letter is its inclusion of a lengthy list of 'politically exposed persons' named in the released files. These individuals appear in various contexts, from direct email contacts with Epstein or Maxwell to mere mentions in unrelated documents or press reports. Among the names cited are President Donald Trump, former President Joe Biden, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg, Fox News host Tucker Carlson, Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, California Sen. Adam Schiff (D), actors Robert De Niro and Alec Baldwin, singer Barbra Streisand, former Vice President Kamala Harris, and former President Barack Obama. The letter clarifies: 'Names appear in the files released under the Act in a wide variety of contexts. For example, some individuals had extensive direct email contact with Epstein or Maxwell, while other individuals are mentioned only in a portion of a document (including press reporting) that on its face is unrelated to the Epstein or Maxwell matters.'
Additional prominent figures on the list include Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Kentucky), actor George Clooney, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R), Jared Kushner, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-New York), Tesla CEO Elon Musk, former Vice President Mike Pence, Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker (D), California Rep. Eric Swalwell (D), Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State nominee Marco Rubio, former President Bill Clinton, and former Attorney General Eric Holder. The inclusion of such a diverse array of names from across the political spectrum and entertainment world has sparked immediate online discussion, though the DOJ letter stresses that mere mention does not imply wrongdoing.
This release builds on a prior disclosure at the end of January, when the Justice Department made public 3.5 million files related to Epstein. President Trump, speaking to reporters shortly after that earlier batch, claimed the documents 'absolve' him of any involvement. Among those files was an FBI document from 2006 showing Trump thanking Florida law enforcement and urging them to focus on Maxwell, whom he described as 'evil.' The Saturday letter does not reference any additional files beyond what has already been released, and neither Bondi nor Blanche posted about it on their social media accounts over the weekend. The DOJ's website also lacks any immediate mention of the letter or further updates.
The timing of the announcement is notable, coming just days after a contentious congressional hearing where Bondi faced sharp criticism from Democratic lawmakers and even some Republicans over her handling of Epstein-related materials. Rep. Jamie Raskin kicked off the hearing by accusing Bondi of 'ignoring' victims and orchestrating a 'massive Epstein cover-up' that he described as the biggest failure in Justice Department history. 'You replace real prosecutors with counterfeit stooges who robotically do the president’s bidding,' Raskin said. 'Nothing in American history comes close to this complete corruption of the justice function and contamination of federal law enforcement.'
Bondi fired back during the exchange, calling Raskin a 'washed-up, loser lawyer' who was a political failure. The heated rhetoric underscored the partisan tensions surrounding the Epstein case, which has long fueled conspiracy theories and demands for transparency from both sides of the aisle. The Epstein Transparency Act itself, passed in recent years amid public pressure, mandates the release of relevant DOJ materials to shed light on the financier's network of high-profile associates.
Background on Epstein's case provides essential context for these developments. Jeffrey Epstein, a financier convicted of sex trafficking, died by suicide in 2019 while awaiting trial on federal charges. His death, ruled a suicide by authorities, nonetheless ignited widespread skepticism and calls for accountability regarding his connections to powerful figures. Ghislaine Maxwell, Epstein's longtime associate, was convicted in 2021 on charges related to recruiting and grooming underage girls for Epstein and was sentenced to 20 years in prison. The Southern District of New York courts have overseen much of the litigation, including civil suits and criminal proceedings that generated the voluminous records now being disclosed.
The DOJ has established a dedicated online 'Epstein Library' hub where the public can access the released files, allowing individuals to review the materials firsthand. This resource, available on the department's website, includes the 3.5 million files from January as well as subsequent releases. While the letter claims all obligations have been met, it leaves open the possibility of future disclosures if new materials come to light, though no such plans were mentioned.
Reactions to the letter have been swift but varied. Trump allies have pointed to the inclusion of his name alongside Democrats like Biden and Obama as evidence of a broad, non-partisan release, while critics on the left have questioned the redactions and the department's assertions of completeness. Rep. Massie, whose own name appears on the list, has not yet commented publicly on the development. Legal experts, speaking off the record, noted that the wide-ranging mentions highlight how Epstein's orbit touched nearly every corner of elite society, but cautioned against drawing conclusions from names alone without context from the files themselves.
The release also reignites debates over victim privacy in high-profile cases. The letter highlights the DOJ's consultations with victims, ensuring that sensitive information—such as medical records or personal details—was shielded. This approach aligns with federal privacy laws but has drawn mixed reviews; some advocates praise the balance, while others argue more could be done to protect survivors from media scrutiny.
Looking ahead, the full impact of these disclosures remains to be seen. With all files now public via the Epstein Library, independent researchers, journalists, and the public can delve into the documents for deeper insights. Lawmakers like Grassley and Jordan, who received the letter, may call for further briefings, especially given the ongoing political sensitivities. For now, the DOJ maintains that it has turned over every relevant page, closing—at least officially—one chapter in the Epstein saga while potentially opening others through public examination.
As the nation grapples with the revelations, the case serves as a stark reminder of the challenges in prosecuting crimes involving the powerful. Epstein's death may have ended one trial, but the transparency efforts continue to uncover layers of association that span decades and disciplines. Whether this final release quells conspiracy theories or fuels them further will likely unfold in the coming weeks, as analysts pore over the archives.