U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), who serves as the Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, released a statement ahead of the statutory deadline for the Trump Administration to release files related to Jeffrey Epstein.
Durbin said, “This should be a big step towards transparency to the American public about the horrors of Jeffrey Epstein’s crimes.
“As the statutory deadline to release the Epstein files approaches, it’s important to center survivors at the forefront. Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell committed horrific crimes that put young women through unspeakable trauma. Because of these survivors’ bravery, the American people may soon know a fuller truth.
“That said, it’s also important to hold those responsible for the politicization of this case accountable. Pam Bondi, Kash Patel, and Dan Bongino intentionally misled the public before their appointments. Once in office, they let politics serve as their North Star—not justice. Stunt press conferences, binders with no new information, false proclamations on TV, and shoddy searches for the President’s name are shameful distractions from meaningful efforts to seek justice for survivors.
“It took an act of Congress to get to this point. I will be looking closely for: appropriate redactions of victim’s identifying information, faulty redactions shielding those who caused harm from accountability, and any sense that the Administration is covering up for the wealthy and powerful.
“Survivors and the public deserve transparency and accountability—no matter who it implicates.”
The Senate Judiciary Committee plays a significant role in legal matters affecting constitutional protections and public safety nationwide through its legislative and oversight duties (official website). As a standing committee within the legislative branch based in Washington, D.C., it reviews legislation on criminal justice and civil liberties, oversees federal law enforcement agencies, evaluates judicial nominations, and has influenced federal law since its creation (official website). The committee consists of senators from both major political parties and conducts business from Senate office buildings in Washington (official website).
