Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY), co-author of the 2025 Epstein Files Transparency Act, sharply criticized the Trump administration on ABC’s This Week on February 15, 2026, calling it an “Epstein administration” for allegedly withholding key documents despite Attorney General Pam Bondi’s claims of full compliance. He accused the DOJ of invoking “deliberative-process privilege,” work-product, and attorney-client privileges to shield internal memos on prosecutorial decisions, such as why Leslie Wexner wasn’t charged, violating the law’s mandates.
DOJ’s Defense
In their February 14 letter to Judiciary Committee leaders (Grassley, Durbin, Jordan, Raskin), Bondi and Deputy Todd Blanche affirmed releasing all records across nine categories, with no redactions for “embarrassment, reputational harm, or political sensitivity.” The list of 300+ names covers “politically exposed persons” and officials mentioned in any context—from direct Epstein/Maxwell emails to news clippings—including Trump, Obamas, Clintons, Bezos, Thiel, and deceased figures like Marilyn Monroe, Elvis Presley, and Ronald Reagan; no wrongdoing is implied.
Bipartisan Backlash
Rep. Ro Khanna (D-CA), the other co-author, blasted the list on X for equating minor mentions (e.g., Janis Joplin, dead before Epstein’s crimes) with predators like Larry Nassar, demanding full files with only survivor redactions. Massie claimed DOJ pulled significant unredacted files (e.g., Giuffre case materials) before congressional review and expressed no confidence in Bondi. Rep. Robert Garcia (D-CA) questioned past FBI inaction under both parties.
