After two weeks in office, Attorney General Pam Bondi announced the release of documents related to the late financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
The Justice Department issued a statement alongside "Phase 1," clarifying that the declassified files largely contained previously leaked documents that had never been formally released by the U.S. government. While many expected Epstein’s client list to reveal explosive details, most of the roughly 200-page release consisted of previously circulated information, including Epstein’s contact list and flight logs from his private jet.
Amid public disappointment, Bondi sent a letter to FBI Director Kash Patel, claiming a source at the New York FBI Field Office informed her that thousands of pages of Epstein-related documents remained in the agency’s possession. She demanded the remaining files be delivered to her office by 8:00 a.m. the next day and ordered Patel to investigate why her directives had not been followed.
Bondi has since stated that her office received a "truckload of evidence," which she says includes the remaining Epstein documents the FBI had withheld. She claims Director Patel is investigating the reason for the delay while other agents work to redact the remaining files. Bondi promised,
“If something’s redacted, you will know the line and you will know why it’s redacted.” Many anticipate new indictments based on the documents’ contents.