Letitia James says the federal administration has failed to release Epstein records as the law requires
Letitia JamesNew York attorney general, in a release from her office
James, one of 17 state attorneys general who wrote to congressional leaders, says the federal administration has failed to release Epstein records as the 2025 law requires and urges Congress to pass the second bill.
Responding to
The Justice Department continues to unlawfully withhold more than 3 million Epstein files and is maintaining heavy redactions on the files it releases.
“Congress passed the Epstein Files Transparency Act to ensure accountability and transparency, but the federal administration has failed to release records as the law requires.”
Official statement
Original text
Where this statement fits
Massie says a second Epstein files bill will get the 218 signatures needed to force a House vote; the Justice Department says it complied with the first law
Rep. Thomas Massie says a discharge petition for the Epstein Files Transparency Act II, which would let states, survivors and members of Congress sue the Justice Department over withheld Epstein records, will reach 218 signatures when the House returns. The House clerk lists 216. The department says it complied with the 2025 law.
Source and context
Official statement
About this source
New York Attorney General Letitia James announces that she joined 16 other attorneys general in a letter urging congressional leaders to pass the Epstein Files Transparency Act II. The release quotes James and lists the states that joined.
Archived copy (opens in a new tab)Original text
About this source
Letter on Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes's letterhead to Speaker Mike Johnson, Hakeem Jeffries, John Thune and Charles Schumer. The attorneys general say the Justice Department has failed to fulfill its duties under the 2025 law, that millions of files remain withheld, and that state prosecutors need unredacted investigative records. They urge Congress to pass H.R. 9694 and S. 5005.
Archived copy (opens in a new tab)Before the quotation
James says that as New York's top law enforcement officer, it is her duty to uphold the law and pursue justice for survivors of crimes.
After the quotation
She says justice for Epstein's survivors requires full access to the record and urges Congress to pass the legislation. The letter she joined says millions of files remain withheld and that state prosecutors need unredacted investigative records.
How this statement is classified
The label describes this statement's response within the context above.
Why this label?
The reference point is the Justice Department's handling of the Epstein files under the 2025 Epstein Files Transparency Act, which the Epstein Files Transparency Act II would let states, victims and members of Congress challenge in court. James says the administration has failed to release records as the law requires, which condemns the department's handling of the files.
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More from this case
Read the full caseThomas Massie says the second bill would let members take the Justice Department to court for keeping files hidden
“Survivors will be able to get their own records, State Attorneys General can prosecute crimes, and we can take the DOJ to court for keeping critical files hidden.”Read statement
White House spokeswoman Abigail Jackson says Trump has done more for Epstein's victims than anyone before him
“by releasing thousands of pages of documents, cooperating with the House Oversight Committee's subpoena request, signing the Epstein Files Transparency Act, and calling for more investigations into Epstein's Democrat friends, President Trump has done more for Epstein's victims than anyone before him.”Read statement
Todd Blanche says the Justice Department complied with the Epstein files law
“This administration, when it comes to Jeffrey Epstein, has been more transparent than any past administration, than Biden was or anybody else and what we did is we complied with the law.”Read statement
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- Letitia James says the federal administration has failed to release Epstein records as the law requires
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The Dispute Index. "Letitia James says the federal administration has failed to release Epstein records as the law requires". First published: 2026-11-08. Last updated: 2026-11-08. https://disputeindex.com/events/8377-james-one-of-17-state-attorneys-general-who