Amid mounting pressure and speculation over the whereabouts of Jeffrey Epstein’s files, Attorney General Pam Bondi addressed the controversy head-on this week, shutting down rumors that the documents are missing and confirming that the FBI is currently reviewing a vast trove of evidence.
Speaking to reporters on Wednesday, Bondi clarified, “No, the FBI—they’re reviewing tens of thousands of videos of Epstein with children or child porn.” She added that the materials involve “hundreds of victims” and confirmed that investigators are actively working through the archive.
The firestorm was ignited after Rep. James Comer (R-KY) speculated on Benny Johnson’s show that the Justice Department might not have the Epstein files at all. “I hope they’re not shredding documents right now,” he said ominously.
In response to those concerns, Bondi’s statement attempted to reassure the public that the files exist and are under review. Yet, the controversy is far from settled. The pace of declassification, the scope of transparency, and the scope of alleged cover-ups have left many—including some of Trump’s staunchest allies—demanding answers.
So far, only the “first phase” of declassified Epstein documents has been released, back in late February. But that initial release left many feeling underwhelmed. Critics called it vague, sanitized, and devoid of the kind of bombshell revelations they were expecting.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt recently said she had “no specific timeline” for the release of the remaining materials, though she called Bondi a “bulldog” and insisted that the Attorney General’s team is working “diligently.”
WORLD EXCLUSIVE: ‘Prince Andrew Was F*ing Underage Girls’ — Tape of Royal Family Advisor Exposes Prince Andrew’s Sexual Relations with Minors and Deep Ties to Jeffrey Epstein pic.twitter.com/NS517Kob18
— James O’Keefe (@JamesOKeefeIII) May 7, 2025
Even President Trump, who has publicly committed to full transparency, has expressed uncertainty about the timeline: “We’ve really announced we’re doing them in full transparency,” he said, citing ongoing efforts related to RFK and MLK files as precedents.
That uncertainty has not sat well with some in the conservative base. Rep. Anna Paulina Luna (R-FL) blasted the slow-walked release as “a complete disappointment,” adding, “THIS IS NOT WHAT WE OR THE AMERICAN PEOPLE ASKED FOR.”
Activist Laura Loomer was even more scathing:
“There is one person who takes the blame for what happened today. It’s @PamBondi… She is a total liar.” Loomer also called for Bondi’s resignation, accusing her of misleading the public on the files’ status.
Further fueling public mistrust, Virginia Giuffre, one of Epstein’s most prominent accusers, died by suicide in Australia just weeks ago. Her father, Sky Roberts, broke his silence in an interview with Piers Morgan, suggesting foul play:
“I believed everything she said. She was my daughter… I think somebody got to her.”
Giuffre’s death has only intensified demands for answers, and has raised fears that crucial witnesses, evidence, or survivors may be silenced before the truth ever comes to light.
