DOJ Cites No 'Incriminating Client List' in Halting Further Epstein File Release

Washington D.C. – The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has announced it will not release additional files related to deceased sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, stating that an exhaustive review found "no incriminating 'client list'" or credible evidence of blackmail. This decision, revealed in a July 7, 2025, memo, comes amidst persistent calls from members of Congress for full transparency regarding the high-profile case.

Representative Brad Sherman (D-CA) publicly challenged this stance, emphasizing the widespread desire for accountability. In a recent social media post, Sherman stated, "Right, left or center - we all want to protect girls in America," urging, "Vote no on this rule. Release the Epstein files." He added, "People on the right, people in the center - everyone who wants to protect girls in America says: release the Epstein files now."

The DOJ's current position marks a shift from earlier indications by the Trump administration. In February 2025, Attorney General Pam Bondi had stated that a "client list" related to Epstein was "sitting on my desk right now," promising "a lot of information." She later clarified that she was referring to the "Epstein case file," not a specific client list. FBI Director Kash Patel had also previously suggested a list was being kept secret "because of who’s on that list."

The push for file release is fueled by the public's enduring interest in Epstein's extensive sex trafficking network and the alleged involvement of powerful individuals. Victims' lawyers have indicated plans to pursue civil lawsuits against Epstein's estate, highlighting the "loss of information that died with him."

The recent unsealing of hundreds of pages of documents by a federal appeals court, just prior to Epstein's death, had already revealed new allegations against prominent figures, though those individuals denied the claims. The ongoing debate underscores the tension between government transparency and the protection of sensitive information, with congressional figures like Rep. Ted Lieu (D-CA) and Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) also calling for the files' public disclosure.