Lawyers representing victims of the late financier Jeffrey Epstein have warned that the American public will be ‘appalled’ by the restricted documents related to the disgraced financier, as they continue to press lawmakers to support a bill that would force the release of those files.
Bradley Edwards, one of the lawyers representing the victims, described the current situation as a government failure to protect their rights, asserting that the victims have been mistreated after being victimized by Epstein. The push for transparency is tied to a discharge petition that’s being led by Reps. Ro Khanna and Thomas Massie, which aims to compel the Justice Department to release the files that have been kept under various legal protections. Edwards emphasized the importance of the release, stating that the documents held by agencies like the FBI and CIA should be made available to the public.
President Donald Trump has dismissed the effort to release the files as being driven by an ‘eight-month hoax,’ claiming it is irrelevant to the nation’s progress since he took office. However, victims and lawmakers have reiterated their demand for the truth, with some survivors stating that the current legal protections are shielding perpetrators who are influential and have strong ties to the government and powerful organizations in the private sector.
Survivors of Epstein’s crimes have also spoken about their experiences, with one victim, Jena-Lisa Jones, describing the traumatic events that occurred when she was just 14 years old in 2003. She has called upon lawmakers to support the legislation, hoping that the release of the files will contribute to her healing and to securing justice for other survivors. Other victims have also expressed their frustration with the secrecy and the ongoing attempts by powerful entities to protect themselves from accountability.
The release of the documents has also sparked discussions around the need for reform in the system to prevent similar abuses from happening in the future, as representatives and activists continue to fight for transparency and accountability in the wake of Epstein’s crimes.