U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi’s investigation into files associated with the convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein has come under scrutiny over concerns the examination could hamper the release of the Epstein files.
President Donald Trump signed The Epstein Files Transparency Act Wednesday after the House and Senate both voted on Tuesday to publicly release the files. Epstein died by suicide in a New York jail in 2019 while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges.
The bill requires Bondi to release all files—including internal communications and investigative materials—related to Epstein and his co-conspirator Ghislaine Maxwell within 30 days of the law being enacted.
However, some have raised concerns that Bondi might redact parts of the files, as the bill allows redactions in certain specific instances, including when documents “would jeopardize an active federal investigation or ongoing prosecution.”
On Friday, Bondi said she had directed Jay Clayton, the U.S. attorney for the Southern District of New York, to examine Epstein’s connections to high-profile Democrats.
Writing on social media, some lawmakers raised concerns that this investigation could cause issues regarding release of the files.
Newsweek reached out to the Department of Justice by email to comment on this story outside of normal business hours.
Why It Matters
The Epstein files have caused continuous problems for the Trump administration. Trump called for their release on the campaign trail then later backtracked, sparking criticism and calls for greater transparency.
On Wednesday, lawmakers released more than 20,000 pages of documents connected to Epstein, but politicians and the public demanded full transparency.
What To Know
Speaking at a press conference on Wednesday about the ongoing issue, Bondi did not say when files will be released or whether documents will be held back because of the Clayton investigation.
In response, writing on X, Jim McGovern, a Massachusetts Democrat said: “This is the exact excuse Trump & his cronies at the DOJ will use to justify any potential refusal to comply with the Epstein Files Transparency Act. Release all the Files. Now. The American People will not stand for anything less than complete transparency.”
California Democrat Jimmy Gomez said: “Looks like Pam Bondi is already setting up the excuse to withhold releasing the Epstein files. Almost like this was their plan the whole time.”
Justin Amash wrote, a former Michigan representative, wrote: “They will never stop coming up with ways to prevent the release of the Epstein files.”
Political commentator Xochitl Hinojosa said: “This right here will be the excuse they use for not releasing the Epstein files.”
Meanwhile, there are other ways in which some of the files may be redacted. The bill says Bondi can redact parts of the records that “contain personally identifiable information” about victims that would “constitute a clearly unwarranted invasion of personal privacy.”
The Attorney General can also redact “child sexual abuse materials” and images about “death, physical abuse, or injury” as well as material that “would jeopardize” investigation and prosecution.
Information deemed “to be kept secret in the interest of national defense or foreign policy” can be redacted
However, the bill said that redactions “must be accompanied with a written justification” to Congress and that the Attorney General should work to “declassify that classified information to the maximum extent possible” including by releasing summaries of redacted materials.
What People Are Saying
Attorney General Pam Bondi wrote on X last week: “SDNY U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton is one of the most capable and trusted prosecutors in the country, and I’ve asked him to take the lead. As with all matters, the Department will pursue this with urgency and integrity to deliver answers to the American people.
Trump wrote: “Perhaps the truth about these Democrats, and their associations with Jeffrey Epstein, will soon be revealed, because I HAVE JUST SIGNED THE BILL TO RELEASE THE EPSTEIN FILES!”
What Happens Next
The extent to which the Epstein files are released remains to be seen. And, when the documents are released, they, and any possible redactions in them, will likely come under a great deal of scrutiny.
