Republicans question if Epstein files were really a nothingburger

News that the Department of Justice had exhausted its efforts to uncover criminal associates of the late financier Jeffrey Epstein disappointed observers like Eric Tirado, a political podcaster and comedian who has followed the topic for years. Tirado recalled how, just a few months ago, the administration handed out imposing white binders emblazoned with “The Epstein Files: Phase 1” in bold red lettering—a dramatic first step toward justice for the victims of the accused sex abuser and his alleged associates.

Now it seems like Phase 1 may have been the end of the road.

“They talked about the Epstein thing as a priority,” Tirado said. “When Trump got into office, that was one of the main things I was hoping would come to an end. It’s just one thing after another. The inconsistencies [are] causing more questions than we’re getting answers.”

The Trump administration’s lackluster production on the Epstein files presents Trump with a two-sided political headache. If no documents connected to Epstein exist, his base finds itself empty-handed after a monthslong build up. If there is a list—and the administration isn’t making it public—that could be more disappointing still. It would mean a supposedly anti-establishment president insulating a secret he promised to make public.

Epstein was a wealthy hedge fund manager who once counted as friends former President Bill Clinton, Great Britain’s Prince Andrew, and President Donald Trump. He was arrested in 2019 on federal sex trafficking charges for allegedly abusing dozens of underage girls as young as 14. He died in prison about a month after his arrest; his death was ruled a suicide. An associate of Epstein’s, Ghislaine Maxwell, is serving a 20-year prison sentence for recruiting underage girls for Epstein and some of his friends to abuse.

In keeping with Trump’s campaign promises, U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi has been reviewing the files from the FBI’s investigation into Epstein.

“This systematic review revealed no incriminating ‘client list.’ There was also no credible evidence found that Epstein blackmailed prominent individuals as part of his actions,” the DOJ recently said in a statement. “We did not uncover evidence that could predicate an investigation against uncharged third parties.”

Rep. Eli Crane, R-Ariz., is a member of the Taskforce on the Declassification of Federal Secrets. When asked if the task force has reviewed the evidence collected by the DOJ, Crane said he hasn’t seen any of it—but believes Congress should get that chance.

“Absolutely. I’ve been calling for this for a long time,” Crane said. “Many of my constituents have reached out who still want answers, and I feel the same way. I don’t think there’s been nearly enough transparency on this issue.”

On the campaign trail, Trump promised on multiple occasions that he would release the Epstein files. In one such conversation with podcaster and political commentator Lex Fridman on Sept. 3, 2024, Trump said he wouldn’t take issue with their release.

“Yeah, it’s very interesting, isn’t it?” Trump said when Fridman noted that the client list of those visiting Epstein’s infamous island had yet to be released. “Probably will be. I’ll certainly take a look at it. I’d be inclined to do the Epstein [documents], I’d have no problem.”

Trump denied being one of Epstein’s associates who abused underage girls.

“I’m not involved. I never went to his island, fortunately. But a lot of people did,” Trump added.

Since the DOJ statement last week, Trump has forcefully called for onlookers and commentators—including Republicans—to drop the subject. On Wednesday morning, Trump called the topic “a hoax.”

“Some stupid and foolish Republicans fall into the net, and so they try to do the Democrats’ work,” Trump said at a news conference in the Oval Office. “I call it the Epstein hoax.”

Democrats accuse Trump of covering up evidence that could incriminate him. Images of Trump posing with Epstein have circulated online, closely following mention of the files. Rep. Ro Khanna, D-Calif., recently included a demand for the files’ release as an amendment to a bill, but the House of Representatives shot down the measure.

Tirado doesn’t think that the release of an Epstein client list would ultimately hurt Trump.

“You know, Democrats have had this list since they took office, and nothing came out of it,” Tirado said, referring to the Biden administration.

But Tirado said the lack of movement on the issue could negatively affect Trump in the long run. While not as substantive as many policy promises Trump made on the campaign trail, the Epstein files present voters with a political story that’s easy to follow and creates intrigue, Tirado said.

“Obviously prices of groceries, gas—all that’s more important,” Tirado said. “But as far as normal people go that really aren’t into politics, they can get their teeth around the whole Epstein thing. Really all we have is some flight logs and speculation, but everyone has talked about it.”

Tirado said that if there really is nothing to show, the administration should have scaled back the promises it made instead of hyping up something it couldn’t deliver.

Rep. Crane on the declassification task force agrees. “It was rolled out horribly. I think in many ways, the poor rollout has increased questions that the public still have about this,” Crane said.

Crane hopes that the administration will continue to be as forthcoming as it can be. And he hopes that extends not just to the Epstein files but also a whole range of topics it promised to bring to the public: unidentified aerial phenomenon, the FBI’s records of the assassination of President John F. Kennedy, and more.

“I’m still looking for answers on the J-13 assassination attempt,” Crane said, referring to the Butler, Pa., attack last July that nearly killed Trump at a campaign rally.

Although the task force does not have subpoena powers, it can ask the chairman of the House Oversight Committee to issue subpoenas on its behalf. When approached about the Epstein subject on Tuesday, Rep. James Comer, R-Ky., the committee’s chairman, declined to comment but said his office would have a statement on the matter within the coming week.