Rep. Sykes Demands Full DOJ Accountability for Failure to Release Epstein Files
WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Representative Emilia Sykes (OH-13), Vice Chair of the Democratic Women’s Caucus, joined her colleagues in calling on the Department of Justice Inspector General to investigate DOJ’s failure to comply with the Epstein Files Transparency Act, more than a month past the legal deadline.
Rep. Sykes voted for the bipartisan law, cosponsored it, and signed the discharge petition that brought it to the House floor. This vote was about standing with survivors and holding powerful interests accountable. The law requires DOJ to release records related to Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell, including flight logs, financial ties, civil settlements, plea deals, and communications about investigations and charging decisions, while protecting survivors’ identities and ongoing investigations.
“DOJ promised transparency and protection, but survivors are being betrayed,” Rep. Sykes said. “Less than one percent of these records have been released, redactions are sloppy and inconsistent, and Congress has been left in the dark. Survivors deserve the truth, accountability, and a process that actually puts them first. DOJ must be held to the full extent of the law.”
Lawmakers are demanding that the inspector general investigate whether DOJ withheld or destroyed records, whether survivors’ safety has been compromised, and whether political influence affected how the files were handled.
Rep. Sykes stands with survivors and will keep fighting to make sure DOJ follows the law and survivors get the truth they deserve.
Here is the letter sent by lawmakers.