House Democrat on release of Epstein files: 'Not a good day for the administration'
Rep. Jared Moskowitz (D-Fla.) said the confusion surrounding Thursday's release of files related to sex offender Jeffrey Epstein proved to be a sour day for the White House.
“It was not a good day for the administration. If you look at the traffic online over the Epstein release, I have never seen the left and the right come together in a moment on the debacle of what the Epstein files contained,” Moskowitz said during a Thursday appearance on CNN’s “News Night.”
Attorney General Pam Bondi and White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt provided 15 internet influencers with a white binder "The Epstein Files: Phase 1" on Thursday afternoon.
The move sparked internet backlash from both conservative and liberal writers with large followings who condemned the White House for not publicly sharing the files as promised. Hours later, the Department of Justice released flight logs and other documents related to Epstein and urged FBI Director Kash Patel to present more evidence on Friday morning.
The documents released Thursday contained little new information on Epstein, who died by suicide in jail in 2019.
“There is one person who takes the blame for what happened today. It’s @PamBondi. I think she should resign,” Laura Loomer, a far right internet personality wrote in a Thursday night post on X.
“She went on Fox News and said the files were on her desk. Then she went on Fox News last night and said we would have files today. She is a total liar. Just face it.”
Loomer also said individuals invited to the White House were told not to disclose Bondi’s involvement in distributing binders with information that pertained to Epstein’s circle.
Rep. Anna Pauline Luna (R-Fla.), who created a task force on the Declassification of Federal Secrets, also raised concerns with the White House’s decision to disseminate information to a small group of people before lawmakers.
“I nor the task force were given or reviewed the Epstein documents being released today… A NY Post story just revealed that the documents will simply be Epstein's phonebook,” Luna wrote in a Thursday post on X.
“THIS IS NOT WHAT WE OR THE AMERICAN PEOPLE ASKED FOR and a complete disappointment. GET US THE INFORMATION WE ASKED FOR!”
However, Luna said in a separate post that she believed Bondi was putting herself “at risk” by working to release the files and protect the identity of victims.
The attorney general reiterated her intent to share the contents of files in a Thursday statement.
“This Department of Justice is following through on President Trump’s commitment to transparency and lifting the veil on the disgusting actions of Jeffrey Epstein and his co-conspirators,” Bondi said.
“The first phase of files released today sheds light on Epstein’s extensive network and begins to provide the public with long overdue accountability.”
Topics
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Justice Department releases first phase of Epstein files
The Department of Justice (DOJ) released a Thursday packet with a flight log and contact information from Jeffery Epstein, a deceased convicted sex offender, and his circle of friends. “The first ...The Hill - 17h -
Jeffrey Epstein: more files released related to late sex offender and financier
Attorney general had indicated justice department would release files related to Epstein, who died by suicide in 2019. The US justice department has released additional files related to the late ...The Guardian - 21h -
Hyped release of 'Epstein Files' sparks anger and disappointment on right
A much-ballyhooed release of documents related to the Jeffrey Epstein case devolved into anger and disappointment Thursday, with conservative figures and even Attorney General Pam Bondi alleging ...NBC News - 21h -
DOJ releases 'first phase' of Epstein files, including an evidence list
DOJ releases 'first phase' of Epstein files, including an evidence list.ABC News - 19h -
Bondi sends Patel letter demanding release of 'full' Epstein files
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‘Epstein Files’ Phase 1 Release, Hyped by Pam Bondi, Falls Short of Expectations
The release of flight logs and Jeffrey Epstein’s contact list by the attorney general was met with criticism from those who had expected the documents to reveal new information.The New York Times - 16h -
Right-wing influencers get binders labeled "The Epstein Files," downplay contents
Fifteen right-wing influencers said they obtained files regarding sex offender Jeffrey Epstein Thursday from Attorney General Pam Bondi.CBS News - 21h
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