On Friday, the DOJ released more than 3.5 million pages from the Epstein files.
This was a long-awaited (and still only partial) fulfillment of the legal requirements of the Epstein Files Transparency Act, which passed in November. We’re still combing through the contents of these documents, but what we’ve seen so far is equal parts horrifying, heartbreaking, and infuriating. And on top of it all, the release of these additional files was a total mess.
Thousands of documents clearly identified victims, including nude photos and private information like email addresses.
The DOJ failed to redact many victims’ names — though, of course, they made sure to blackout entire pages of copy and redact the powerful men’s names that showed up in the files.
And there remain millions more pages of unpublished files that have yet to be released.
Despite that, Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche says the entire Epstein case is “over.”
All of this has left us with more questions than answers, which is why I have to ask: What are they hiding? And who benefits from the victims being named in these files, but not their alleged abusers?
Let me be completely clear: this is not over, and it won’t be over until there is full transparency and full accountability.
Thousands of women and girls were abused and trafficked, and then intentionally silenced. And now, their safety is being compromised by the agency that’s supposed to investigate these crimes. These victims are being lied to — and so is the American public.
Jeffrey Epstein’s web of abuse is horrific and disgusting — and it was made possible by countless people around him who participated in the abuse, who facilitated it, and who knew what was happening and did nothing to stop it.
Demanding accountability isn’t some political “gotcha” against Trump and his allies. (Although there are more than 38,000 references to the President in the files, according to the New York Times.) It’s about justice for survivors, no matter who the abuser is or what political party they belong to. Whether we’re talking about Donald Trump or an unknown guy on the street, a Republican or a Democrat, there must be accountability.
For the thousands of courageous women and girls who survived this nightmare, spoke out, and led the way in the push for transparency — I will keep demanding justice.
I hope you’ll join me. Keep speaking up, keep pushing, and keep fighting.
—Sara
