The Ongoing Controversy Over the Epstein Files
By: Kate Litman
Edited by: Valerie Lane and Eliana Aemro Selassie
Jeffrey Epstein, an American financier later exposed as a serial child sex offender, died by suicide in 2019 in federal custody while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges. In the years following his death, the handling of the records related to his trial has generated universal attention. Amongst both released and withheld details regarding his case, Americans have speculated about the contents of the Epstein case files and the government’s hesitation to release them in full.
The unreleased “Epstein Files” contain thousands of pages of court documents, interview transcripts, investigative records, and critical evidence related to the criminal and civil cases involving Jeffrey Epstein. These files hold personal details about high-profile individuals connected to Epstein, including reports and records from the FBI’s Miami and New York investigations, victim interviews, business records, and flight logs. While some documents have been unsealed through litigation, others remain sealed due to court orders. [1]
Although these files were not publicly available throughout the Epstein trial, they have since caused commotion amongst its followers, generating significant public interest as to who may be referenced in the files and why. As a result, there have been continuous public demands for greater disclosure from the federal government regarding the Epstein files.
The demand for the release of the Epstein files is centered around the necessity of government transparency, for Americans to understand the government’s handling of Epstein's case and why he was allowed to take his own life in prison. [2] Additionally, government transparency is often viewed as a way to address asked conspiracies about those involved on Epstein Island, territory owned by Jeffrey Epstein in the U.S. Virgin Islands used as a primary location for sexual abuse. Furthermore, the release of the files could also help raise awareness for the victims, individuals who were silenced for thousands of dollars and have had to endure the long-term consequences of sexual assault.
In light of the 2024 presidential election, President Donald Trump’s stance on the release of the Epstein files appeared to shift significantly. During his first term, Trump referred to the release of the files as a “Democratic hoax.” However, while campaigning in June of 2024, Trump claimed he would consider declassifying certain materials upon request. [3] This enticing promise offered the public the opportunity to finally receive answers about what exactly happened on Epstein Island. As Trump repeatedly emphasized his interest in releasing the files alongside the introduction of the H.R.4405, the Epstein Files Transparency Act in July of 2025, hope for the release of the case grew amongst Americans. This bill required the Department of Justice to publicly release all unclassified documents, records, and investigative materials in their possession related to the prosecution of Jeffrey Epstein, with permission to withhold personal information about Epstein’s victims. [4]
However, after being elected, Trump distanced himself from his earlier stance supporting disclosure. Trump demanded that audience members, specifically those demanding answers on the Epstein trial, not waste their time urging for the release of the files, which suggests that releasing the files may no longer serve his political objectives. [5] In July 2025, Trump came out with a public statement urging supporters not to waste time on the Epstein files, creating a lot of political backlash amongst those who urged for the files’ release.
Despite Trump’s hesitance, individuals remain adamant about the unfiltered release of the Epstein Files. This urgency partially stems from a misconception of how much access to legal documents the public is entitled to under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). The FOIA emphasizes that government records should be transparent, but creates the measures that outline what information can be withheld. [6] Federal agencies are legally allowed to withhold information that invades personal privacy or compromises ongoing law-enforcement investigations, such as the Epstein case. As the Epstein files contain victim testimonies and sealed court material, much of what the public demands from these files sharply contrasts with the FOIA.
Trump’s unkept promise has solicited negative feedback from constituents, with many suggesting that his hesitation has unraveled because his name is included on an unconfirmed list of individuals who are associated with Epstein. Attorney General Pam Bondi released a statement refusing to publish any information within the files, including the suspected “client list.” Statements from Department of Justice Officials refusing to publish information regarding the alleged “client list” left the public without explicit answers as to why the documents remain heavily redacted, with only a small fraction of the files released relative to the total amount of information they contain. [3] The President’s dismissal of the matter has only stimulated further discontent and conspiracies.
The further invigorated outrage resulted in yet another amendment in Trump’s promise, where, in November of 2025, he verbally expressed an openness to release limited parts of the files, following with Congress’s vote on those portions. With the passage of the Epstein Transparency Act, thousands of photographs emerged from the files, including images of former President Bill Clinton in a hot tub with Jeffrey Epstein. [7] While these images enticed the public, the government's hesitation on the complete release of these files poses questions about the violation of FOIA stipulations. Individuals longed for uncensored and complete information about what was contained in those files and will continue to protest for their full release.
Ultimately, the contention surrounding the Epstein files reflects a larger ongoing discussion about the desire for government transparency and the legal boundaries of government investigations. While the FOIA provides distinct parameters for what information the federal government can release about an investigation without compromising the privacy of victims, the lack of compliance to release these files jeopardizes the victims’ ability to achieve justice. Additionally, the Epstein Files Transparency Act provided false hope to Americans who have been following Epstein’s case since his imprisonment, as they continue to yearn for more details. Whether these files are released or not, the public will continue delving for information regarding their unanswered questions.
Notes:
Scannell, Kara, and Evan Perez. 2025. “What We Know about the Epstein Files.” CNN. July 25, 2025. https://www.cnn.com/2025/07/25/politics/epstein-files-justice-department
Moore, Russell. 2025. “Why We Want to See the Epstein Files - Christianity Today.” Christianity Today. July 16, 2025. https://www.christianitytoday.com/2025/07/jeffrey-epstein-files-pam-bondi-nixon-trump-russell-moore/
Hutzler, Alexandra. 2025. “What Trump Has Said about Jeffrey Epstein over the Years, Including on 2024 Campaign Trail.” ABC News. July 16, 2025. http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/trump-jeffrey-epstein-years-including-2024-campaign-trail/story?id=123778541
Khanna, Rep. 2025. “H.R.4405 - 119th Congress (2025-2026): Epstein Files Transparency Act.” Congress.gov. 2025. https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/4405
“Trump Tells Supporters Not to ‘Waste Time’ on Epstein Files. They’re Not Happy.” 2025. NPR. July 14, 2025. https://www.npr.org/2025/07/14/nx-s1-5467151/trump-epstein-files-doj-fbi-maga
United States Department of Justice. n.d. “FOIA.gov - Freedom of Information Act: Learn.” FOIA.gov. https://www.foia.gov/about.html
Hayes, Christal. 2025. “Epstein Files: Who and What Are in the Documents?,” December 20, 2025. https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c8r38ne1x2mo.
Bibliography:
Hayes, Christal. 2025. “Epstein Files: Who and What Are in the Documents?,” December 20, 2025. https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c8r38ne1x2mo
Hutzler, Alexandra. 2025. “What Trump Has Said about Jeffrey Epstein over the Years, Including on 2024 Campaign Trail.” ABC News. July 16, 2025. http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/trump-jeffrey-epstein-years-including-2024-campaign-trail/story?id=123778541
Khanna, Rep. 2025. “H.R.4405 - 119th Congress (2025-2026): Epstein Files Transparency Act.” Congress.gov. 2025. https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/4405
Moore, Russell. 2025. “Why We Want to See the Epstein Files - Christianity Today.” Christianity Today. July 16, 2025. https://www.christianitytoday.com/2025/07/jeffrey-epstein-files-pam-bondi-nixon-trump-russell-moore/.
Scannell, Kara, and Evan Perez. 2025. “What We Know about the Epstein Files.” CNN. July 25, 2025. https://www.cnn.com/2025/07/25/politics/epstein-files-justice-department
“Trump Tells Supporters Not to ‘Waste Time’ on Epstein Files. They’re Not Happy.” 2025. NPR. July 14, 2025. https://www.npr.org/2025/07/14/nx-s1-5467151/trump-epstein-files-doj-fbi-maga
United States Department of Justice. n.d. “FOIA.gov - Freedom of Information Act: Learn.” FOIA.gov. https://www.foia.gov/about.html