Epstein victims knock FBI, DOJ over handling of case
Two victims of disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein questioned the Trump administration's motives for seeking to unseal grand jury testimony in letters to the court made public Monday.
The victims, both anonymous, wrote separately to U.S. District Judge Richard Berman to speak up for themselves and fellow victims whom they suggested were not being adequately considered in the government's quest to make the papers public.
"I am not sure the highest priority here is the victims, justice for the victims or combatting child exploitation, or at least I do not feel this way," one victim wrote, asserting that the Department of Justice (DOJ) and FBI's priority seems to be protecting "wealthy men."
The other victim said their decision to speak out comes with "disdain, disgust and fear" over how DOJ has handled its efforts to release the so-called "Epstein Files."
"Dear United States, I wish you would have handled and would handle the whole 'Epstein
Files' with more respect towards and for the victims," that victim wrote. "I am not some pawn in your political warfare.
"What you have done and continue to do is eating at me day after day as you help to perpetuate this story indefinitely," they continued.
The Trump administration's renewed efforts to release fresh information about Epstein and his accomplice, Ghislaine Maxwell, follows sharp criticism from his political base which has long called for greater transparency around the case.
The Justice Department announced earlier this year that Epstein did not have a “client list” and confirmed his 2019 death was indeed a suicide, angering conspiracists who believe the government has concealed the truth about Epstein and Maxwell's sex trafficking scheme.
President Trump has grown increasingly frustrated as his supporters have pressed for more information or the appointment of a special prosecutor. In recent weeks, top DOJ officials have opened talks with Maxwell.
The victims argued that the attention to Epstein has gone too far.
"The latest attention on the 'Epstein Files,' the 'Client List' is OUT OF CONTROL and the ones that are left to suffer are not the high-profile individuals, IT IS THE VICTIMS," the first victim said. "Why the lack of concern in handling such sensitive information for the victims sake?"
Neither victim explicitly called for the transcripts to remain under seal, but both urged great caution in determining what information should be released.
Tuesday is the deadline for Epstein's victims to respond to the government's request to unseal the papers, and the judge said he would rule “expeditiously” afterward.