The verdict is still out whether the public will have full access to the Epstein files.
That’s because it’s at the discretion of the Justice Department just how much of the federal investigation it will release.
If we go by recent history, the prospect is not promising.
Last summer the department released 200 pages in tranche No. 1.
No. 2 never followed.
Which is why the House of Representatives took the bold step Tuesday of circumventing House leadership by successfully filing a discharge petition that demanded a vote the files of the convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein be made public, despite President Donald Trump’s opposition. A first for Republicans.
The Senate approved the Epstein Files Transparency Act Wednesday morning. The president, who Sunday night surrendered his long-standing opposition to releasing the files, is expected to sign the legislation.
Congressional Republicans stood up to the president. Will Bondi?
All along, the president has refused to exercise his authority to demand Attorney General Pam Bondi release the estimated 100,000 pages of files it has related to Epstein, who was charged with sex trafficking as many as 250 women and girls, some as young as 14.
Many have interpreted the president’s reticence as guilt. Or a cover-up for his friends in high places.
Either or both will likely influence Bondi’s willingness to release the full extent of the unclassified information it has related to Epstein, who died by suicide while awaiting trial on federal sex trafficking charges in 2019.
So far, Bondi has been mum about what she sees as the Department’s responsibility.
Though the Transparency Act requires the DOJ to release the files within 30 days, the Justice Department has wide latitude on how to interpret the directive.
A significant loophole is if any of the files could jeopardize an active federal investigation.
Conveniently, on Friday, the president ordered Bondi to launch a new federal investigation related to Epstein, this time to discover what high-ranking Democrats may have interacted with Epstein.
The thought that the U.S. government is shielding those involved with Epstein’s sex trafficking ring is shaking Americans to their core.
We need to know that those who abuse women and girls — no matter their wealth or status — will be held accountable.
