Epstein Files Fiasco: DOJ and FBI Face Backlash Over Unfulfilled Transparency Promises

The Department of Justice and FBI are under fire for closing their Jeffrey Epstein investigation without releasing anticipated files, sparking outrage among supporters expecting transparency. Attorney General Pam Bondi, FBI Director Kash Patel, and Deputy Director Dan Bongino face calls for resignation after their joint memo declared no new evidence of illegal activity by third parties in Epstein’s case. The memo, released Monday, cited court-ordered seals preventing disclosure of much of the 300 gigabytes of material reviewed.

Broken Promises and Public Frustration
Expectations were high after years of public statements from Patel, Bongino, and others hinting at a bombshell 'client list' of Epstein’s associates. Patel once suggested powerful figures like Bill Gates were lobbying to keep such a list hidden, while Bongino predicted its release would 'rock the political world.' Yet, the agencies now claim no such list exists, leaving supporters feeling betrayed. President Trump, who in 2024 pledged to declassify Epstein files, dismissed the topic this week, calling Epstein a 'creep' and sidestepping further comment.

A History of Hype
Figures like Sen. Marsha Blackburn and Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene fueled anticipation, with Blackburn promising accountability and Greene insisting a 97-page 'black book' held names of global elites. Earlier this year, Bondi claimed she was reviewing case files, only to later clarify she meant the entire Epstein dossier, not a specific list. The February release of documents, hyped as 'Phase 1,' disappointed with no new revelations, further eroding trust.

Conspiracy or Mismanagement?
Critics argue the DOJ and FBI mishandled expectations, pointing to Patel’s and Bongino’s past claims about a cover-up. Bongino even questioned Epstein’s 2019 jail cell death, despite official rulings of suicide. The Miami Herald’s Julie Brown, a longtime Epstein reporter, dismissed the 'client list' narrative as a conspiracy theory exploited for profit. As public skepticism grows, the agencies’ insistence on transparency rings hollow, leaving questions about what, if anything, remains hidden.