Press Releases

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Thursday, April 23, 2026, the Office of the Inspector General (OIG) formally notified the Democratic Women’s Caucus that they will launch an investigation into the Department of Justice’s compliance with the Epstein Files Transparency Act. This investigation follows a January letter from the Democratic Women’s Caucus (DWC), in which 67 DWC members led by DWC Policy Task Force Co-Chairs Deborah Ross (NC-02) and Sydney Kamlager-Dove (CA-37) demanded a thorough investigation following a “government response that has treated [survivors’] safety, dignity, and right to justice as secondary considerations.” 

Democratic Women’s Caucus Chair Teresa Leger Fernández released the following statement about the investigation: 

“Led by Policy Co-Chairs Deborah Ross and Sydney Kamlager-Dove, the DWC demanded the Office of the Inspector General launch an investigation into the Department of Justice’s compliance with the Epstein Files Transparency Act because they’ve completely mishandled the release of the Epstein files. To this day, there are millions of files that have not been released. In fact, the Department’s actions mirror the very dynamics Epstein used: powerful people, demanding silence, keeping their crimes secret, while victims are exposed, scrutinized, and made to bear the consequences. If there are no consequences to breaking the law, then the law is not of any consequence. OIG’s investigation is a critical step to hold the Department accountable for its egregious mishandling of the files release and to move survivors closer to long-overdue justice. We will keep fighting for justice, accountability, and transparency."

Background:

The Democratic Women’s Caucus (DWC) has consistently supported the Epstein survivors during their push for accountability, transparency, and justice. DWC hosted a bipartisan vigil, championed meetings with the survivors, invited survivors to President Trump’s State of the Union, hosted survivors for multiple press conferences on Capitol Hill, and released a safety-focused legislative slate in part inspired by the Epstein survivors.

As part of this work—on Thursday, January 29, 2026—67 members of the Democratic Women’s Caucus (DWC), led by Policy Task Force Co-Chairs Deborah Ross (NC-02) and Sydney Kamlager-Dove (CA-37), sent a letter to the Acting Inspector General of the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), Don R. Berthiaume, demanding a thorough investigation into the release of the Epstein files in accordance with the Epstein Files Transparency Act. The letter called on him to intervene using all available authorities to ensure the Epstein files are released in full compliance with the law and in a survivor-centered manner. On April 23, 2026, the OIG sent DWC a response, notifying that the agency will investigate the Department of Justice as a result of DWC’s request. 

Over four months after the deadline required by the Epstein Files Transparency Act, the DOJ has still failed to finish releasing the Epstein files—yet Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche has egregiously said the investigation is “over.” Plus, the DOJ has continued to use inconsistent and unexplained redactions in the files that they have released, making survivors’ personal details public as they’ve covered for predators. 

The DWC will not stop fighting for the Epstein  survivors until the truth is fully known and every enabler and perpetrator is held accountable.

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