Durbin joins chorus of congressmen demanding Epstein files be released
[July 18, 2025]
By Greg Bishop | The Center Square
(The Center Square) – U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Illinois, is joining the
chorus of congress members calling for the release of files involving
Jeffrey Epstein.
Earlier this month, the U.S. Department of Justice released a memo about
Epstein, who died in jail awaiting trial on child sex trafficking
charges in 2019. The unsigned two page memo concluded that the 300
gigabytes of materials related to Epstein included graphic video of
child pornography.
“This systematic review revealed no incriminating ‘client list,’” the
memo said. “There was also no credible evidence found that Epstein
blackmailed prominent individuals as part of his actions. We did not
uncover evidence that could predicate an investigation against uncharged
third parties.”
The announcement caused waves of criticism among President Donald Trump
supporters, saying he promised to reveal the client list.
In a letter to Attorney General Pam Bondi, Durbin called for the files
release.
“We call upon you to follow the bipartisan directive of the
Appropriations Committee and release the Epstein files without delay,”
the letter said. “From the lenient plea deal he received in Florida in
2008 to the end of his case with his death in prison in 2019, survivors
of his abuse have been denied the full accounting of his crimes and the
justice they deserve.”
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Thursday, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said
Democrats wanting transparency now is “asinine.”
“The Democrats had control of this building, the White House, for
four years, and they didn't do a dang thing when it came to
transparency in regards to Jeffrey Epstein and his heinous crimes,”
Leavitt said. “[Trump] wants to move on from the story.”
Prominent figures like the U.S. House speaker and the U.S. Senate
minority leader have voiced support for releasing the Epstein files.
Leavitt said the president stands by the DOJ’s decision that they
wouldn't release any of the child sex abuse materials. She was asked
about any other releases of court records surrounding the case, even
redacted files.
“Those are also questions for the judges who have that information
under a seal,” Leavitt said. “And that would have to be requested.
And a judge would have to approve it. That's out of the president's
control.”
Epstein died in jail awaiting trial in 2019. While the official
conclusion was suicide, many believe Epstein did not kill himself
and had high profile clients.
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