Epstein Survivors Demand Justice, Transparency After Document Releases

Survivors of Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell gathered on Capitol Hill to demand full transparency of the Epstein files, justice for victims, and to oppose any presidential pardons for Maxwell, who is serving a 20-year sentence for sex trafficking. At a press conference supported by bipartisan lawmakers, survivors like Teresa Helm condemned how Maxwell was given a platform to manipulate and groom victims, criticizing the Department of Justice for allowing Maxwell's interview without consulting survivors. The recent release of over 33,000 pages of documents by the House Oversight Committee has shed light on Epstein's abuses, yet survivors emphasize the lasting trauma and call for more accountability. President Donald Trump, who was friendly with Epstein before his presidency and whose name reportedly appears in the files, dismissed the focus on the Epstein case as a Democratic hoax intended to distract from his accomplishments, including his crime crackdown and foreign policy efforts. This stark contrast highlights the ongoing political tensions surrounding the Epstein files and the survivors' fight to have their voices heard against a backdrop of skepticism and partisan disputes. Survivors stressed their unity and strength in raising awareness and pushing Congress for justice amid these controversies.