Durbin, Duckworth Join Colleagues In Demanding Public Release Of Epstein Files
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) joined U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley (D-OR) and Ben Ray Luján (D-NM) in their efforts to direct the U.S. Department of Justice to publicly release all files relating to the investigation of Jeffrey Epstein and his associates.
The Senators introduced the Epstein Files Transparency Act to provide full transparency for the American people, accountability for individuals involved with Epstein, and justice for all victims harmed. Asstory after story trickles out about the Trump Administration’s handling of the Epstein Files, the Epstein Files Transparency Act is critical to restoring the public’s trust in government and includes strong protections to redact appropriate information to protect victims’ privacy and national security concerns, while explicitly prohibiting redactions based on reputational harm or political sensitivity.
“The American people have asked for the truth about the Epstein files, but the Trump Administration has stalled, distracted, and fabricated falsehoods to prevent the release of the files. It’s about transparency in government and holding abusers accountable,” Durbin said. “The Epstein files must come to light.”
“It is completely unacceptable that Republicans are helping Donald Trump sweep this under the rug, protect abusers and avoid delivering the transparency he promised the American people on the campaign trail,” said Duckworth. “If there’s nothing in the files, there’s no reason to hide them. The American people deserve the truth and the victims deserve justice.”
In addition to Durbin, Duckworth, Merkley, and Luján, the Epstein Files Transparency Act is co-sponsored by U.S. Senators Cory Booker (D-NJ), Adam Schiff (D-CA), Martin Heinrich (D-NM), John Hickenlooper (D-CO), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Ruben Gallego (D-AZ), Andy Kim (D-NJ), Mark Kelly (D-AZ), Angela Alsobrooks (D-MD), Peter Welch (D-VT), Mark Warner (D-VA), Jack Reed (D-RI), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Chris Coons (D-DE), Ron Wyden (D-OR), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), and Michael Bennet (D-CO).
Durbin has continuously put pressure on the Trump Administration to release the Epstein files. Earlier this month, Durbin called on Attorney General Pam Bondi to immediately release the files after the Senate Appropriations Committee unanimously passed an amendment requiring the Attorney General to “retain, preserve, and compile any records or evidence related to any investigation, prosecution, or incarceration of Jeffrey Epstein” and submit a report to Congress within 60 days regarding the records and evidence.
Following conflicting stories from Trump Administration officials about the existence, location, and content of the Epstein files, Durbin also wrote to Attorney General Bondi, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Director Kash Patel, and Deputy FBI Director Dan Bongino on apparent discrepancies regarding the handling of the Epstein files and findings from a July 7 Department of Justice (DOJ) memorandum and instructions reportedly received by FBI personnel to identify records mentioning President Trump.
Durbin has also pressed for Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche to provide full transparency after his meeting with Ghislaine Maxwell, Jeffrey Epstein’s co-conspirator and fellow sex trafficker. In his letter, Durbin requested that DOJ will provide full transparency to the victims and survivors of Epstein and Maxwell with respect to any decisions the Department makes regarding Maxwell’s appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court; and that DOJ will not offer a pardon or commutation of sentence to Maxwell in exchange for information or advocate for a pardon or commutation of sentence on Maxwell’s behalf to the White House in exchange for her cooperation.
Full text of the Epstein Files Transparency Act as introduced in the Senate can be found by clicking here.
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