Bondi says the Trump administration is the most transparent in history. She called on Epstein victims to come forward to pursue charges against other potential co-conspirators.
Epstein files to be dropped on legal day, but remain incomplete
The Justice Department released the Epstein file in response to the Epstein File Transparency Act, but many documents are still missing.
WASHINGTON – Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer proposed a resolution Monday that would force the Justice Department to release more documents about convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, and two House members said they would pursue contempt charges against Attorney General Pam Bondi for withholding the documents.
New York’s Schumer said the Senate could act on his resolution in January. But the Democratic Party is in the minority, so its prospects are uncertain. “We cannot allow this administration to hide the truth,” Schumer said on social media.
Representatives Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) and Ro Khanna (D-Calif.) each accused Bondi of “breaking the law” by not releasing more documents. They threatened to detain her for contempt of Congress.
Bondi reaffirmed on social media that the department intends to prosecute those involved in Epstein’s alleged human trafficking and exploitation of girls as young as 14. Mr Bondi asked the victim to come forward. She called the Trump administration the most transparent in history.
Massey seeks ‘essential contempt’ for Bondi over Epstein release
Congress approved and President Donald Trump signed a bill that requires all department files that do not name victims, depict child sexual abuse or damage the prosecution of the case to be released by Dec. 19.
In releasing hundreds of thousands of documents, Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche acknowledged on Friday, December 19, that hundreds of thousands more are still under review. He also told Congress that some documents could be withheld under legal privilege, which covers things like lawyers’ internal deliberations and communications with clients.
Blanche said more documents would be released in the coming weeks. The Epstein File Transparency Act requires the department to list the documents withheld from release and explain why within 15 days.
“The Epstein survivors are not satisfied with the Department of Justice’s incomplete and redacted disclosures starting December 19th,” Massey said on social media on Sunday, December 21st. Massey said “unfortunately” Bondi was “breaking the law.”
“Congress should assert its ability to hold Mr. Bondi in ‘substantial contempt’ to bring justice to survivors,” Massey said.
Publication of FBI files is ‘extremely unusual’, legal expert says
Khanna said on social media on Sunday, Dec. 21, that the release of the 60 indictments, 82 pages of indictment memos and FBI files drafted but never filed against Epstein would give further credibility to Bondi’s pledge to prosecute the rich and powerful.
The 60 drafts refer to a federal investigation from 2006 to 2008 that resulted in a non-prosecution agreement with Epstein. The 82-page prosecution memo was also from the same period. The FBI files requested by lawmakers include so-called 302 forms, which are notes summarizing investigators’ interviews with victims.
Mr Khanna said an estimated 1,200 victims were abused by wealthy and powerful people who took part in the attack, helped cover it up or were on Mr Epstein’s private island in the Caribbean.
“And what the American people want to know is who these people are,” Khanna told CBS News on Sunday, Dec. 21, on “Standing Up with the Nation with Margaret Brennan.” “And instead of holding them accountable, Pam Bondi is breaking the law.”
Sarah Krisoff, a partner at Cozen O’Connor and a former New York federal prosecutor, said FBI agents are trained to be diligent record-keepers and that the 302 documents “provide a roadmap for the investigation” with “critical information” from witnesses and documents. However, that form is usually not made public.
“It’s very rare to see FBI 302,” Krisoff said.
Epstein died by suicide in prison in 2019 while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges.
His colleague Ghislaine Maxwell was the only person charged with conspiring with him, and she is serving a 20-year sentence.
