Congress Intensifies Scrutiny as Epstein Files Release Puts Trump Allies Under Pressure

WASHINGTON — Congress has escalated its confrontation with the Trump administration over the forthcoming release of federal records related to Jeffrey Epstein, intensifying pressure on Attorney General Pam Bondi, FBI Director Cash Patel, and former President Donald Trump himself as lawmakers seek assurances that the files have not been altered or concealed.

The development follows bipartisan legislation—signed by Trump—requiring the Department of Justice to release all government-held Epstein materials within 30 days. With roughly two weeks left before the December 19 deadline, concerns have mounted among lawmakers and Epstein survivors about potential delays, redactions, or interference in the release process.

This week, House Democrats released a series of photographs depicting the interior of Epstein’s private island, Little St. James, long alleged to be a site of abuse involving underage girls. The images showed bedrooms, a helipad, sculptures, and, most disturbingly, a room containing a dental chair and lifelike masks mounted on the wall—details that have renewed public fascination and outrage over the case.

While Democrats argue that transparency is essential, Republicans have accused them of selectively releasing material to create political pressure. The Justice Department has yet to outline how it plans to meet the statutory deadline.

Late Tuesday, the Senate Judiciary Committee, led by Sen. Adam Schiff of California, formally requested that the Justice Department’s inspector general conduct a review of the “chain of custody” for all Epstein-related documents. The review aims to verify that no materials have been removed, modified, or otherwise tampered with in the lead-up to public disclosure.

“To reassure the American public that any files released have not been tampered with or concealed, the chain-of-custody forms associated with records and evidence in the Epstein files must be accounted for, analyzed, and released,” the committee wrote. The inspector general is expected to begin the audit immediately, with findings due by January 19.

The request comes amid persistent concerns from victim advocates that officials may attempt to redact or withhold information involving high-profile individuals. Rumors circulated throughout the summer that Department of Justice staff were working to scrub references to Trump from the records—claims that the department has not confirmed and that Bondi previously denied.

Still, Trump’s long and publicly documented association with Epstein has remained a central political flashpoint. Though the former president has attempted to distance himself from Epstein since his 2019 arrest, their decades-long social ties continue to draw scrutiny. Trump has repeatedly dismissed the renewed focus as a partisan attack.

The timing of the release adds further strain to an administration already managing multiple political crises. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth are facing separate inquiries unrelated to Epstein, contributing to a growing sense of instability within the administration’s senior ranks.

For lawmakers, the upcoming disclosure represents an opportunity to resolve long-standing public questions about Epstein’s activities, his connections, and the failures of earlier investigations. For the Trump administration, it poses a significant test: any indication of obstruction or alteration—down to a missing document or misplaced punctuation—could fuel accusations of misconduct or cover-up.

As Congress and federal investigators move forward, the political stakes are only increasing. For survivors, transparency remains the ultimate goal. For the administration, the next several weeks may determine whether the Epstein files become a legal and political crisis—or a moment of overdue clarity.