Dear Kevin,
Thank you for contacting me about the release of documents relating to the crimes of Jeffrey Epstein. I appreciate you taking the time to reach out, and I deeply value your insight and input.
In July 2019, financier Jeffrey Epstein was arrested on federal sex trafficking charges and was found dead in his jail cell a month later. In January 2024, a lawsuit settlement led to the release of thousands of pages of previously sealed documents naming over 150 individuals linked to Epstein’s alleged trafficking scheme. Despite earlier claims that the Department of Justice (DOJ) was reviewing the files and would continue to release information to the public, it became clear that Congress would have to force their hand.
Sexual abuse of children has deeply, bitterly impacted so many – and the personal stories victims have shared have been heartbreaking and enraging. And despite the ugliness, I consider it an honor to be entrusted with the stories and the strength of those who have fought to bring predators to accountability and face justice – it reflects a profound strength of character to not turn away from darkness, but to choose to confront it.
This is not a partisan issue. This is about accountability and not giving powerful perverts a free pass to hurt kids. On September 2, 2025, I signed a bipartisan discharge petition to force a vote on H.Res. 581 to release these files. In the House Appropriations Committee, I put forward another amendment to release all documents related to the relocation of Ghislaine Maxwell to a minimum-security prison in Texas after her interview by the DOJ. Unfortunately, this amendment failed a committee vote.
On November 12, 2025, this discharge petition gathered enough bipartisan signatures to force a vote on the bill to release the files, and on November 18, 2025, I proudly voted alongside nearly all of my colleagues to release the files. This legislation was signed into law on November 19, 2025, clearly stating the DOJ is required to make publicly available all records in its possession by December 19, 2025. Despite this deadline, the DOJ had released the files in parts, ultimately releasing them in their entirety on January 30–though, as I discovered upon my opportunity to view the files recently on March 6, they continue to be heavily redacted.
Please know I am closely monitoring this issue and reviewing the files. I will work to make sure the Justice Department fully investigates, charges, and prosecutes co-conspirators to the fullest extent of the law, and fully cooperates with state investigators to prosecute offenses at the state-level. For too long, the system has coddled powerful perverts who prey upon children, and it’s time to change that.
Your thoughts inform everything I work on in Congress. I hope to hear from you again soon! To learn more about the resources and services available to you through my office, you can always visit my website at gluesenkampperez.house.gov, sign up for my newsletter, or follow me on X,Facebook, Instagram, and Threads.
Sincerely,
Marie Gluesenkamp Perez
Member of Congress
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