🚫 The Escape Hatch: Bondi Signals Potential Delay in Epstein File Release Citing New Probe
DOJ Under Pressure as Attorney General Refuses to Rule Out Withholding Documents Based on Ongoing Investigation Into Democrats
WASHINGTON, D.C. — In a pivotal moment following the overwhelming bipartisan passage of legislation compelling the release of the remaining Jeffrey Epstein files, Attorney General Pam Bondi signaled a possible escape route for the administration to justify delaying or withholding the documents. The potential mechanism for the delay is a newly announced investigation into individuals, including prominent Democrats, named by the President.
When questioned directly on whether the new investigation ordered by President Donald Trump would prevent the Department of Justice (DOJ) from releasing all the remaining files, Bondi offered a carefully worded, but revealing, response.
“We have released over 33,000 Epstein documents to the Hill and we’ll continue to follow the law and to have maximum transparency,” Bondi stated, adding that they will always encourage victims to come forward.
When pressed to confirm if “following the law” meant providing all files within the 30-day timeline expected under the new legislation, which passed the House 427-1 and the Senate unanimously, Bondi reiterated: “We will follow the law. The law passed both chambers last evening. It has not yet been signed, but we will continue to follow the law again while protecting victims, but also providing maximum transparency.”
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The Pretext of the Ongoing Investigation
Critics immediately noted the conspicuous absence of a definitive “no” regarding the delay. The core fear is that the administration will utilize the universally recognized legal principle that the DOJ cannot release information pertaining to an ongoing investigation as a pretext for non-compliance with the new transparency law.
This concern is amplified by the circumstances surrounding the initiation of the new probe. Weeks after a previous DOJ statement concluded that the review of existing evidence did not warrant any additional investigation of third parties, the department swiftly reversed course.
The catalyst for the new investigation appears to be a public directive from the President himself. Trump used his social media platform to demand that Bondi and the DOJ investigate “Jeffrey Epstein’s involvement and relationship with Bill Clinton, Larry Summers, Reed Hoffman, JP Morgan Chase, and many other people and institutions.”
Bondi responded to the directive within hours, publicly affirming that the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York (SDNY), Jay Clayton, would take the lead, promising to pursue the matter with “urgency and integrity.”
When asked what “new information” triggered the sudden reversal of the DOJ’s earlier decision, Bondi vaguely referenced only “information that has come forth” and “additional information.” Critics suggested the “information” was precisely the President’s public demand, rather than any new forensic evidence.
Bipartisan Pressure and Skepticism
The intense pressure on the administration is evident. Trump had publicly vowed to sign the Epstein Files Transparency Act, a move seen as political necessity given the staggering bipartisan support. However, many lawmakers believe the administration’s actions—specifically the newly ordered investigation—are designed to create the precise legal conflict required to justify a delay.
Even within the GOP leadership, there is a clear intent for full disclosure. Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) acknowledged the possibility of slow-walking the release but stressed the intent of Congress.
“I trust the judgment of the Justice Department to ensure that whatever files they release protect the victims clearly,” Thune said, while noting the clear intent was to “get the information out there.” He added, “I think they’ll make the right decisions.“
However, observers argue that the administration has built little goodwill to earn such trust. They point to a history of delay tactics, including previous Attorney General statements that files were about to be released before they were suddenly halted, and the previous limited release of information that was largely already public. The fact that a Republican-controlled Congress felt compelled to pass a new law mandating transparency underscores the deep skepticism regarding the DOJ’s willingness to release potentially damaging information without being forced.
A Veto-Proof Issue and the Political Cost
The reality is that the new law was passed by margins large enough to overcome a presidential veto, placing the responsibility directly on the DOJ to comply. Should the administration use the “ongoing investigation” loophole to suppress the files, it is anticipated that President Trump would face immediate, sustained, and bipartisan pressure.
The issue has already consumed the administration, with the President being hit with questions about Epstein at nearly every public appearance. If the administration leans on this “tired excuse,” political analysts predict an even greater, unified backlash. The situation suggests that the immediate political cost of attempting to indefinitely suppress the files will likely outweigh any potential risk contained within the documents themselves.
The American people—and Congress—are now waiting to see whether the DOJ will honor the spirit of the new law or use a manufactured legal conflict to keep one of the most consequential files in modern history under wraps.
