Local artist’s rendition of Epstein’s survivors at Bondi hearing. (Sophia Capobianco)
By Bec Rapacz
Let’s unpack this. By now most have heard about the Department of Justice releasing over three million pages of previously withheld Epstein Files, more than a month after the deadline required by the Epstein Files Transparency Act. The bill for this act, written and sponsored by U.S. Rep. Ro Khanna (D-CA) and co-written by U.S. Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY), was signed into law by President Trump himself on November 19, 2025. In the newly released files, multiple high rollers of the past and present have been outed for their relationships and correspondences with the late Jeffrey Epstein. They include Donald Trump, former Prince Andrew, Bill Clinton, Bill Gates, Elon Musk, and more. Still, entire pages in this release have remained completely redacted, begging the question: “What is the DOJ still hiding, and who are they protecting?”
For people that may think, “it doesn’t affect me, why should I care?” I dare say, yes it does affect you. Our government and economy are run by people who rubbed elbows with Jeffrey Epstein, a convicted sex offender and alleged leader of an international sex trafficking ring. We as students, as the future of this country, have a right to know the truth about the people writing, dictating, and enforcing our laws.
On top of that, the way we speak about the contents of the files within our own communities carries weight. According to the World Health Organization, roughly one in three women experience sexual violence in their lifetime. So, when talking about the files, know that the women in your life are paying attention to the tone in which you speak. The fact that it’s taken a dead pedophile’s computer history to awaken the populace to the claims that victims have been making for decades, followed by zero judicial action to investigate and indict those accused, is a giant middle finger to every woman that has ever thought about coming forward with her own story of abuse.
While releasing the files, the DOJ “forgot” to redact photos of victims or their names in witness records or official complaints, doxxing numerous survivors that needed to stay anonymous for their safety. Many of these people had remained a “Jane Doe” for decades. This is a colossal misstep from the DOJ that has put the lives of these people on the line, as if that hasn’t been done already. The Epstein Files Transparency Act – again, signed into law by President Trump – required that the only names that be redacted were those of the victims, for their privacy and safety, and that every other name be made public. The DOJ instead protected the names of six powerful men – which have since been made public – and outed the survivors. Screenshotted and copied millions of times over by outraged citizens, the compromising materials that endanger previously anonymous victims are now permanently on the internet.
On Feb. 11, Attorney General Pam Bondi appeared before the House for questioning on the DOJ’s handling of the Epstein Files. It was wild, and honestly worth the watch just for the drama. The entire hearing is available on YouTube, posted by the Associated Press. Present were several of Epstein’s survivors. Bondi stated in this very hearing that “any victim who comes forward, of course, we would love to hear from them…” When U.S. Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-WA) asked the victims to stand and raise their hand if they’d still not been able to meet with the DOJ – something they’d been requesting for quite some time – every single victim stood and raised their hand. Jayapal then asked Bondi: “Will you turn to them now and apologize for what your DOJ has put them through with the absolutely unacceptable release of the Epstein Files and their information?” Bondi started to complain that another witness had not been asked the same question. Jayapal doubled down and asked the question again, while Epstein’s victims stood directly behind Bondi, waiting for her apology. She did not give one.
This is the callous treatment that victims of sexual abuse have become accustomed to in our society.
CEOs, company owners, and high-ranking foreign political officials alike are resigning across the globe due to their names appearing in the files. According to The New York Times, they include but are not limited to: Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem of DP World, Dr. Peter Attia of “David,” a protein bar company, Jack Lang of the Arab World Institute and former culture minister of France, and Kathryn Ruemmler of Goldman-Sachs. As of Feb. 25 Mark Arsenault of The New York Times as well as writers for The Harvard Crimson state that Larry Summers, economist and former President of Harvard, will resign from his teaching position in Boston at the end of the academic year. Former U.K. Ambassador to the U.S., Peter Mandelson, was arrested for misconduct in public office involving Epstein on Feb 24. and was released on bail shortly after with ongoing investigations, according to The Associated Press. Former Prince Andrew was arrested, detained, and released on Feb. 19, with investigations still ongoing, according to journalists reporting from London for The New York Times. France has opened official investigations into people with connections to Epstein according to Le Monde, a French publication, and Ségolène Le Stradic reporting for The New York Times.
It’s no longer just an American problem; the whole world has been wrapped up in Epstein’s twisted web of sinister predation.
What we can do with our anger as citizens is call the DOJ: (202) 514-2000, then press 3. There are many scripts and outlines to follow posted online. Here is an example.
My question is, if other countries are ousting the disgraced, when will America follow suit?
My parting words will be gentle: take care of yourself. If you feel so inclined to read the files, which can be done by typing the file names into the DOJ website, know that you will be reading material designed to exhaust, enrage, and debilitate. Take a step back when you need to, for your nervous system’s sake.
