Lack of Transparency on Epstein Files Sparks Calls for Legal Action
With months having passed since Donald Trump's Department of Justice (DoJ) was ordered to release all Jeffrey Epstein investigation files, and despite campaign promises made early in his second term, the lack of transparency is starting to take its toll. Federal lawmakers issued a series of subpoenas related to the late child sex trafficker, releasing batches of files that reignited attention on his connections to high-profile individuals on both sides of the political spectrum.
However, Congress ultimately passed legislation mandating that the DoJ release these files by December 19, with Trump signing the bill into law. But that deadline came and went, with the DoJ making a mere fraction of the total disclosures required by the Epstein Files Transparency Act (EFTA). These scant releases have failed to lift the veil on how Epstein operated with impunity for years.
Now, as the big news surrounding Epstein is the lack thereof, legal experts are weighing in on what else can be done to force the Trump DoJ to release all of the Epstein files. Mitchell Garabedian, a lawyer who has represented victims of clergy sexual abuse for decades, stated that pushes for disclosure should involve a double-barrel approach and said that legal avenues for forcing the files' release were far from exhausted.
"The party moving for the release of the investigative files should seek court relief if the files have not been released in a timely manner pursuant to a court order," Garabedian said. "Epstein victims have a public voice, and they should continue to use that voice to make the public aware of the non-release of the files, to empower themselves and other victims, and make the world safer for children."
Spencer Kuvin, an attorney with Goldlaw who has represented dozens of Epstein victims, echoed similar sentiments, saying that these files will not be released just because it's the right thing to do – history shows they only come out when someone forces the issue. He added that being told once again that there is "no path forward" is devastating for victims who have waited years, sometimes decades, for the truth.
Lawmakers are considering legal relief, with Democratic Congressman Ro Khanna stating that many avenues were on the table. Massie also voiced similar sentiments, saying they remain determined to force the DoJ to follow their law using other available avenues and the survivors.
However, there are logistical issues with using courts to prompt these files release. Neama Rahmani, a former federal prosecutor, explained that something like this could take weeks or longer. "You file the lawsuit seeking equitable relief, which is an order," he said. "You want that judicial order, because if the judicial order is violated, then the judge can start imposing sanctions."
Rahmani pointed out that there are challenging complications in involving a district judge to move this process along, and even though Congress needs to sue for the records' release, such is a long way from one being viable or successful. He suggested that the likely best way forward is to amend the legislation and create explicit judicial oversight.
As the impasse continues, Epstein's survivors are finding themselves re-traumatized by the lack of progress. With the DoJ seemingly in violation of the law, it appears that transparency will have to be dragged out through the courts – a reality that has become all too familiar for those seeking justice.
With months having passed since Donald Trump's Department of Justice (DoJ) was ordered to release all Jeffrey Epstein investigation files, and despite campaign promises made early in his second term, the lack of transparency is starting to take its toll. Federal lawmakers issued a series of subpoenas related to the late child sex trafficker, releasing batches of files that reignited attention on his connections to high-profile individuals on both sides of the political spectrum.
However, Congress ultimately passed legislation mandating that the DoJ release these files by December 19, with Trump signing the bill into law. But that deadline came and went, with the DoJ making a mere fraction of the total disclosures required by the Epstein Files Transparency Act (EFTA). These scant releases have failed to lift the veil on how Epstein operated with impunity for years.
Now, as the big news surrounding Epstein is the lack thereof, legal experts are weighing in on what else can be done to force the Trump DoJ to release all of the Epstein files. Mitchell Garabedian, a lawyer who has represented victims of clergy sexual abuse for decades, stated that pushes for disclosure should involve a double-barrel approach and said that legal avenues for forcing the files' release were far from exhausted.
"The party moving for the release of the investigative files should seek court relief if the files have not been released in a timely manner pursuant to a court order," Garabedian said. "Epstein victims have a public voice, and they should continue to use that voice to make the public aware of the non-release of the files, to empower themselves and other victims, and make the world safer for children."
Spencer Kuvin, an attorney with Goldlaw who has represented dozens of Epstein victims, echoed similar sentiments, saying that these files will not be released just because it's the right thing to do – history shows they only come out when someone forces the issue. He added that being told once again that there is "no path forward" is devastating for victims who have waited years, sometimes decades, for the truth.
Lawmakers are considering legal relief, with Democratic Congressman Ro Khanna stating that many avenues were on the table. Massie also voiced similar sentiments, saying they remain determined to force the DoJ to follow their law using other available avenues and the survivors.
However, there are logistical issues with using courts to prompt these files release. Neama Rahmani, a former federal prosecutor, explained that something like this could take weeks or longer. "You file the lawsuit seeking equitable relief, which is an order," he said. "You want that judicial order, because if the judicial order is violated, then the judge can start imposing sanctions."
Rahmani pointed out that there are challenging complications in involving a district judge to move this process along, and even though Congress needs to sue for the records' release, such is a long way from one being viable or successful. He suggested that the likely best way forward is to amend the legislation and create explicit judicial oversight.
As the impasse continues, Epstein's survivors are finding themselves re-traumatized by the lack of progress. With the DoJ seemingly in violation of the law, it appears that transparency will have to be dragged out through the courts – a reality that has become all too familiar for those seeking justice.
The lack of transparency around Epstein's files is really frustrating 
especially when victims are still waiting for answers after years of campaigning for disclosure. It's like they're saying "there's no path forward" but honestly, history shows us that sometimes you need to fight for what's right 
even if it takes time and effort. I think lawmakers should keep pushing for legislative changes to ensure judicial oversight 
this way, we can hold the DoJ accountable for releasing the files. The victims deserve justice and transparency, not more excuses 
come on folks its been months since we were told the Epstein files would be released and not a peep from the Trump DoJ 
meanwhile these victims are still waiting for closure and justice is still a long way off 
i mean whats the point of having a law on the books if we cant make it work 
its unacceptable that they have to go through this again and again 
the people who represent them in court need to step up their game too, no excuses for not getting results soon enough 
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and I'm still on a high from trying all these crazy flavors! Anyway, speaking of transparency, it makes me think of how some companies are getting away with stuff because they're super good at hiding their secrets 
. Like, have you guys tried that new "artisanal" coffee shop downtown? They claim to use only the finest beans, but I bet they just got them from a big supplier like everyone else 
. Like, with Epstein, we know he did something bad, but it's like the system is still trying to cover its tracks 
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. Sorry, what were we talking about again? Oh yeah, transparency! Anyway, I think we need more people like Mitchell Garabedian who are willing to speak truth to power 
. We can't keep letting the system drag its feet and expect justice to be served 
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I mean, some people like it, some don't. Can't we all just agree to put different toppings on our own pizzas and be done with it? 
Those were the days...
They're really good for stress relief, you know?
i mean, trump promised us transparency months ago but it just never happened 
we need action now, not some vague promise of "we'll get around to it eventually" 
It's like they're letting the law take its time, which is basically what's happening here. I guess we'll just have to keep calling them out on it until they get their act together... or something changes. 
. It's not like it's going to hurt them or anything. But I suppose it's all about power and control, right? The fact that they're trying to silence the victims and keep the truth hidden is just disgusting 
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. It's like they're playing a game of hide-and-seek with justice 
. And don't even get me started on the lawyers trying to navigate this mess 
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meanwhile, lawmakers are finally taking action but it's not like a magic solution will appear out of thin air. we need concrete steps here, like making sure there's some real judicial oversight so trump's goons don't get away with stonewalling us 
I mean, what even is the point of having a transparency act if nobody's going to enforce it?! 
. Can't we just get those files released already?!