Government transparency on Jeffrey Epstein's files hangs in the balance, with a 30-day countdown to their release drawing near. The passage of the Epstein Files Transparency Act has sparked warnings that the expected documents will only be the tip of the iceberg in what could become a decades-long fight over transparency.
Under the law, the Justice Department and Attorney General Pam Bondi have significant discretion in deciding what records to release and what to withhold from the public. This includes withholding information that depicts or contains child sexual abuse material, images of death, physical abuse, or injury, as well as classified information. National security also provides a broad justification for withholding information, with Epstein's ties to foreign governments and intelligence agencies potentially covering vast swaths of government knowledge.
Experts expect the administration to release only innocuous documents that are already publicly known, but nothing substantial unless forced by a court. Ty Cobb, a former White House attorney, believes the administration is trying to "scam" people into thinking the files will be released when they won't. Caren Morrison, a law professor, agrees, suggesting the administration may release information embarrassing to Democrats connected to Epstein, but not anything related to Trump or other Republicans.
The new law has drawn comparisons to the 1992 President John F. Kennedy Assassination Records Collection Act, which established a process for releasing files while sparking a lengthy battle over what got released. The law also gives researchers a framework for filing suit against the government over the release of files, as seen in recent lawsuits against the Biden administration.
As the clock ticks down to the release of the Epstein files, concerns remain about whether the administration will follow through on its promises or continue to stonewall. Skyye Perryman, president of Democracy Forward, plans to continue using the courts to shine a light on what the administration is doing, stating that recent court rulings have acknowledged the Trump-Vance administration's cover-up in handling Epstein files.
The future of transparency in this case hangs in the balance, with experts warning that the fight may not be over.
Under the law, the Justice Department and Attorney General Pam Bondi have significant discretion in deciding what records to release and what to withhold from the public. This includes withholding information that depicts or contains child sexual abuse material, images of death, physical abuse, or injury, as well as classified information. National security also provides a broad justification for withholding information, with Epstein's ties to foreign governments and intelligence agencies potentially covering vast swaths of government knowledge.
Experts expect the administration to release only innocuous documents that are already publicly known, but nothing substantial unless forced by a court. Ty Cobb, a former White House attorney, believes the administration is trying to "scam" people into thinking the files will be released when they won't. Caren Morrison, a law professor, agrees, suggesting the administration may release information embarrassing to Democrats connected to Epstein, but not anything related to Trump or other Republicans.
The new law has drawn comparisons to the 1992 President John F. Kennedy Assassination Records Collection Act, which established a process for releasing files while sparking a lengthy battle over what got released. The law also gives researchers a framework for filing suit against the government over the release of files, as seen in recent lawsuits against the Biden administration.
As the clock ticks down to the release of the Epstein files, concerns remain about whether the administration will follow through on its promises or continue to stonewall. Skyye Perryman, president of Democracy Forward, plans to continue using the courts to shine a light on what the administration is doing, stating that recent court rulings have acknowledged the Trump-Vance administration's cover-up in handling Epstein files.
The future of transparency in this case hangs in the balance, with experts warning that the fight may not be over.
. Like, we get some documents and then voilà! More excuses to withhold what's actually important. It's crazy how politicians think they can control the narrative like this. And honestly, who gets left out in the dark? Innocent people, that's who. The families of the victims deserve answers, not just some watered-down version of the truth. Can't we just get some real transparency here? 
I'm watching with bated breath to see if they actually follow through on their promises... or if it's more of the same old stonewalling 
.
30 days to go and it feels like a countdown to nowhere 
. The government is all about playing games when it comes to releasing those Epstein files 
. I mean, what's the point of even having transparency laws if they're just gonna hold onto that info for dear life? 
It's like they're trying to keep us in the dark on purpose 
. Skyye Perryman is right on it though, using those courts to get to the bottom of things 
. This whole thing feels like a decades-long fight over transparency and I'm not sure how much longer we can expect to see real progress 
I've been following this case since Epstein was taken down, and the less said about what went on behind closed doors, the better 
and can u believe they think they can release "innocuous" documents that are already public lol no way theyre just gonna try to sweep some embarrassing stuff under the rug regarding dems but leave everything else hidden from public eyes 
I'm literally on edge waiting for those Epstein files to drop! 
I've been following this story since forever and it's just getting juicier by the day! 
I don't trust our administration at all, they're already trying to spin us into thinking they're being transparent but we know better, right? 
It's gonna be a long and messy fight, mark my words! 
We need more people like Skyye Perryman who's not afraid to take on the system. 
. Like, what if they release some watered-down docs just to pacify the public? That would be super convenient for them. And good luck with that whole "innocuous documents" thing - sounds like code for "we're gonna keep it under wraps". The fact that the admin thinks we'll believe their PR spin over actual transparency is pretty laughable 
. I mean, come on, if they were really serious about releasing the files, they'd do it already. This whole 30-day countdown thing just feels like a stall tactic to me