Attorney General Demands FBI Release Withheld Epstein Documents by Friday

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Attorney General Pam Bondi has accused the FBI of withholding thousands of documents related to sex offender Jeffrey Epstein and has demanded their release by 8 a.m. Friday. In a public letter to FBI Director Kash Patel, Bondi expressed her concern over the agency’s failure to disclose the existence of these documents after repeated requests.

Bondi’s letter follows the release of the “first phase” of newly declassified files on Thursday, which did not include any significant new allegations about Epstein, a financier who was arrested on sex trafficking charges in July 2019 and died while awaiting trial.

“Late yesterday, I learned from a source that the FBI Field Office in New York was in possession of thousands of pages of documents related to the investigation and indictment of Epstein,” she stated. “Despite my repeated requests, the FBI never disclosed the existence of the files.” Bondi has requested all records, documents, audio, and video materials related to Epstein and his clients.

In her letter, Bondi instructed Patel to conduct an immediate investigation into the failure to meet her requests and to provide a comprehensive report within 14 days. “There will be no withholdings or limitations to my or your access,” she wrote. This directive aims to ensure transparency in a case that has drawn immense public scrutiny over its handling.

In response, Patel took to social media, asserting that the FBI is committed to integrity and accountability. “There will be no cover-ups, no missing documents, and no stone left unturned,” he wrote on X (formerly Twitter).

The documents released on Thursday primarily included those already circulated in civil litigation, prompting disappointment among some Republican lawmakers and conservative commentators who anticipated a more extensive disclosure of Epstein’s alleged network of associates. Representative Anna Paulina Luna openly criticized the initial release, expressing frustration that the documents contained scant new information.

Among the contents of the initial release were flight logs from Epstein’s private jet and a partially redacted contact list. Bondi’s earlier promise had suggested that this phase would yield more significant revelations, yet many of the details previously emerged in other court filings.

While pressure has mounted from both parties for the full release of Epstein’s documents, Bondi indicated that delays were primarily due to the need to protect the identities of Epstein’s victims. Nevertheless, she has emphasized the necessity to uphold transparency.

Please note that various high-profile figures have been associated with Epstein; however, none have been officially accused of wrongdoing. Former President Bill Clinton, Prince Andrew, and Donald Trump have all faced scrutiny over their connections to the late financier, amidst the public’s speculations regarding a so-called “client list” supposedly implicating powerful individuals.

The Justice Department’s current initiative to release Epstein-related documents is part of a broader public demand for transparency regarding the investigation, especially considering Epstein’s influential connections that allowed him to evade justice for so long. Many observers continue to question the government’s previous handling of the Epstein case, particularly surrounding his death and the implications it has for those connected to him.

As more documents are expected to be released in the coming days, the focus remains on uncovering the extent of Epstein’s network and the potential implications for those involved.