Pressure mounts on Department of Justice to release Epstein files

US Attorney General Pam Bondi is facing growing bipartisan pressure to release the alleged "client list" tied to Jeffrey Epstein, the late billionaire and convicted sex offender.

Since taking office as head of the Department of Justice earlier this month, Bondi acknowledged possession of files related to the Epstein investigation, which may include the much-speculated list of individuals associated with Epstein's illicit activities. Speaking with Fox News on Friday, Bondi revealed that she is reviewing the material.

“It’s sitting on my desk right now to review,” Bondi told Fox News’ John Roberts when questioned about the potential release. “That’s been a directive by President Trump.”

Lawmakers from both parties have taken to social media to push for transparency, marking one of the early moments of bipartisan pressure on the new administration. Among the most vocal is Representative Anna Paulina Luna, who leads a task force dedicated to declassifying federal records. Luna has repeatedly pressed Bondi for updates.

“Reaching out on X because we can’t seem to get a response from the AG,” Luna wrote in a post on Tuesday. “@AGPamBondi what is the status of the documents? These documents were ordered to be declassified.”

On Feb 11 & Feb 19, house oversight sent a letter to the DOJ asking for status on releasing the Epstein files as well as JFK etc.

The DOJ has not responded.

Reaching out on X because we can’t seem to get a response from the AG.@AGPamBondi what is the status of the…

— Rep. Anna Paulina Luna (@RepLuna) February 25, 2025

Other Republicans, including Rep. Tim Burchett, Sen. Mike Lee, Rep. Mike Collins, and Rep. Lauren Boebert, have echoed calls for action.

“Today would be a great day for @AGPamBondi to release the Epstein Files,” Boebert posted on Tuesday. “The truth will set us free!”

Today would be a great day for @AGPamBondi to release the Epstein Files.

The truth will set us free! https://t.co/6CE0hzXqX9

— Rep. Lauren Boebert (@RepBoebert) February 25, 2025

Sen. Marsha Blackburn has also taken formal steps, sending a letter to Bondi and newly appointed FBI Director Kash Patel on Monday, urging the release of records related to Epstein, including flight logs and Ghislaine Maxwell’s “little black book.” Blackburn had previously pressed Patel on the matter during his confirmation hearing.

Democrats have joined the call for transparency, raising concerns that Bondi might be shielding powerful individuals.

“The AG still not releasing the EPSTEIN FILES is weird and raises the question of who she might be protecting,” Rep. Ilhan Omar posted on X.

The AG still not releasing the EPSTEIN FILES is weird and raises the question of who she might be protecting 

— Ilhan Omar (@IlhanMN) February 25, 2025

The Senate Judiciary Committee’s official account also weighed in, questioning Bondi’s inaction and sharing images of Trump with Epstein, as well as Elon Musk, leader of the Department of Government Efficiency, with Maxwell.

Maxwell, Epstein’s former associate, was convicted of sex trafficking and other charges and is serving a 20-year prison sentence. Epstein died in 2019 while in federal custody, awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges.

Last year, a federal court unsealed documents naming roughly 200 individuals in relation to the Epstein case, including prominent figures like Trump and former President Bill Clinton. However, these records did not clarify the extent of their connections to Epstein, and neither has been accused of any wrongdoing in the investigation.