Congress Urged to Unlock Epstein Files by Survivors and Accusers

A group of women, including those who have accused former President Donald Trump of sexual misconduct, have joined forces with survivors of Jeffrey Epstein's abuse to push Congress for the release of all files related to the late financier. This collective effort aims to shed light on the alleged crimes and the justice system's perceived failures. The letter, addressed to Congress, emphasizes the urgency of releasing the Epstein files, stating that the crimes committed by Epstein, Ghislaine Maxwell, and their associates highlight a troubling double standard in the justice system. The signatories argue that powerful individuals often evade accountability, and the release of these files could help address this issue. Among the Trump accusers who signed the letter are Alva Johnson, Natasha Stoynoff, Karena Virginia, and Amy Dorris. Johnson, who previously sued Trump, withdrew her lawsuit due to safety concerns but maintains her allegations. Trump has consistently denied any inappropriate behavior with these women. While Trump and Epstein were once acquainted, Trump has denied any involvement or prior knowledge of Epstein's sex-trafficking operations. He claims their friendship ended around 2007 over a dispute involving employees at the Mar-a-Lago club. Despite these denials, the connection between Trump and Epstein remains a subject of public interest. Epstein died in jail in 2019 while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges. Maxwell, his accomplice, was convicted in 2022 and is currently seeking a reduction in her prison sentence. The push for the release of Epstein's files gained momentum after recent emails revealed by the House Oversight Committee mentioned Trump and a redacted victim's name, later identified as Virginia Giuffre. Giuffre, a prominent Epstein accuser, tragically took her own life in April. Her family members, including her brothers Sky Roberts and Danny Wilson, along with their spouses, also signed the letter to Congress. Roberts criticized the administration for unredacting Giuffre's name, calling it disrespectful to survivors. The letter to Congress follows a recent interview where Epstein accusers Liz Stein and Jess Michaels urged Congress to compel the Justice Department to release all Epstein-related files. The ongoing debate surrounding these files highlights the public's demand for transparency and accountability in high-profile cases.