Epstein Survivors Urge Congress to Enforce Full Release of DOJ Files

More than a dozen women who were victimized by the late financier Jeffrey Epstein have formally requested that Congress hold hearings to confirm the Justice Department’s compliance with the Epstein Files Transparency Act. Their appeal underscores growing concerns that crucial documents related to Epstein’s criminal network remain undisclosed.

Why the Call for Congressional Oversight?

The survivors argue that without robust congressional scrutiny, the Justice Department may fall short of its legal obligations to make all pertinent records public. They emphasize that transparency is essential not only for accountability but also for providing closure to the victims.

Key Demands from the Victims

• Immediate release of all files pertaining to Epstein’s investigations, including unredacted testimony, plea agreements, and investigative reports.
• A dedicated congressional hearing to assess the Department’s adherence to the transparency mandate.
• Ongoing monitoring to ensure that any future documents are promptly disclosed.

Legal Framework: The Epstein Files Transparency Act

Passed in 2023, the Epstein Files Transparency Act requires the Justice Department to disclose every document related to the case within a 180‑day window, barring narrowly defined national‑security exemptions. Failure to comply could trigger congressional investigations and potential sanctions.

Response from the Justice Department

In a brief statement, the Department of Justice indicated that it is “actively reviewing all materials” and remains “committed to upholding the law.” However, the victims’ coalition contends that the Department’s timeline and scope of disclosure have been insufficient.

Next Steps

The group of survivors plans to submit a formal petition to the House Judiciary Committee within the next week. If the committee agrees to hold hearings, it could set a precedent for how high‑profile criminal investigations are managed and disclosed in the future.