Press Releases

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Friday, December 19, was the deadline for the Department of Justice to release all of the Epstein files to the public, as mandated in the DWC-endorsed Epstein Files Transparency Act. Democratic Women’s Caucus (DWC) Chair Teresa Leger Fernández (NM-03) released the following statement:

“Donald Trump and the Department of Justice are now violating federal law and insulting the American people with their release of heavily redacted files that are not searchable and are not complete as required by the Epstein Files Transparency Act. The Transparency Act does not allow the redaction of names of ‘government officials or politically exposed persons,’ but that is exactly what the Department of Justice has done. There is almost nothing related to Donald Trump—despite well-documented evidence that he appears in the files hundreds of times. We need these files released now to show who was involved, who is complicit, and to shed light on this unacceptable behavior. By their actions, this administration is protecting sex trafficking, pedophilia, and the arrogance of powerful men who would demean women.

As always, the Democratic Women’s Caucus is laser focused on supporting survivors. Their advocacy, persistence, and resolve is the reason why Congress acted to release the files in the first place. Many of the survivors have waited months, years, and even decades for transparency. It is unacceptable that they are forced to wait even one more day in prolonged uncertainty and anxiety for a chance to hold their perpetrators accountable. 

Tonight I’m thinking of Amanda, Wendy, Jena, Haley, Virginia, Dani, Sharlene, Annie, Jess, Liz, Marina, Maria, and so many more. We will keep fighting for these courageous women.”

###