U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Illinois, is joining the chorus of congress membes calling for the release of files involving Jeffrey Epstein.
Earlier this month, the U.S. Department of Justice released a memo about Epstein, who died in jail awaiting trial on child sex trafficking charges in 2019. The unsigned two page memo concluded that the 300 gigabytes of materials related to Epstein included graphic video of child pornography.
“This systematic review revealed no incriminating ‘client list,’” the memo said. “There was also no credible evidence found that Epstein blackmailed prominent individuals as part of his actions. We did not uncover evidence that could predicate an investigation against uncharged third parties.”
The announcement caused waves of criticism among President Donald Trump supporters, saying he promised to reveal the client list.
In a letter to Attorney General Pam Bondi, Durbin called for the files release.
“We call upon you to follow the bipartisan directive of the Appropriations Committee and release the Epstein files without delay,” the letter said. “From the lenient plea deal he received in Florida in 2008 to the end of his case with his death in prison in 2019, survivors of his abuse have been denied the full accounting of his crimes and the justice they deserve.”
Thursday, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said Democrats wanting transparency now is “asinine.”
“The Democrats had control of this building, the White House, for four years, and they didn’t do a dang thing when it came to transparency in regards to Jeffrey Epstein and his heinous crimes,” Leavitt said. “[Trump] wants to move on from the story.”
Prominent figures like the U.S. House speaker and the U.S. Senate minority leader have voiced support for releasing the Epstein files.
Leavitt said the president stands by the DOJ’s decision that they wouldn’t release any of the child sex abuse materials. She was asked about any other releases of court records surrounding the case, even redacted files.
“Those are also questions for the judges who have that information under a seal,” Leavitt said. “And that would have to be requested. And a judge would have to approve it. That’s out of the president’s control.”
Epstein died in jail awaiting trial in 2019. While the official conclusion was suicide, many believe Epstein did not kill himself and had high profile clients.
