Editor’s Note: This story contains discussions of rape or sexual assault that may be disturbing. Reader discretion is advised. If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted, you can find help and discreet resources on the National Sexual Assault Hotline website or by calling 1-800-656-4673.
(NewsNation) — Dozens of survivors of convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein spoke Wednesday on Capitol Hill as lawmakers from both sides of the aisle demanded the Department of Justice release all government files related to the investigation.
“Let’s stop calling it an Epstein client list … it’s Epstein’s sex buyer list,” said Teresa Helm, an accuser of Epstein and his longtime associate and former girlfriend, Ghislaine Maxwell.
Speakers at the rally often grew emotional as they recounted how they were lured into Epstein’s abuse and called for government accountability for the actions of Epstein and Maxwell.
“Our demands are clear,” said Sky Roberts, whose late sister Virginia Giuffre was an outspoken survivor. “Ghislaine Maxwell must remain in a maximum security prison for the rest of her life. No leniency. No deals. No special treatment.”
Survivors demanded all files related to the investigation be released publicly and that anyone complicit be held accountable.
Reps. Thomas Massie, R-Ky. and Ro Khanna, D-Calif., alongside a group of accusers, held a news conference Wednesday, calling for the full release of the files.
“A nation that allows rich and powerful men to traffic and abuse young girls without consequence is a nation that has lost its moral and spiritual core,” Khanna said.
Near the event, a large crowd gathered with signs reading, “Believe the survivors,” and “Unlock the Epstein files.”
Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene joins push for Epstein files release
Khanna was joined by Georgia Republican Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, who is among a bipartisan set of lawmakers who support a discharge petition that could force a House vote requiring the DOJ to release its Epstein files.
Khanna said Wednesday that, along with Greene, Reps. Lauren Boebert, R-Colo., and Nancy Mace, R-S.C., have also joined the effort, and with just two more GOP signatures needed, the threshold for likely passage is within reach.
“There is something that is rotten in Washington,” Khanna said. “We’ve got to stop the partisanship on this issue.”
Massie introduced a bill in July to force the release of the files, warning that if the House failed to consider it within seven legislative days, he would move forward with a discharge petition.
Attorney calls for redaction of remaining Epstein files
Lawyers for some Epstein accusers appeared alongside the lawmakers in support of the petition and stressed their view that the pursuit of the files’ release “is a nonpartisan issue.”
Attorney Brittany Henderson implored authorities to redact survivors’ names from documents that are ultimately released, in order to protect the identities of women who don’t want to be known publicly.
Trump calls Epstein files ‘a Democrat hoax’
President Donald Trump referred to continued calls for the release of documents relating to Epstein as “a Democrat hoax that never ends.”
“It reminds me a little of the (John F.) Kennedy situation. We gave them everything over and over and over again … and nobody’s ever satisfied,” he told reporters from the White House on Wednesday, during a meeting with newly elected Polish President Karol Nawrocki.
Trump said the files were a distraction from “the most successful eight months of any president ever.”
Newly released Epstein files already made public: Rep. Robert Garcia
The House Oversight Committee this week released more than 33,000 pages of documents, including flight logs, court filings and emails. However, lawmakers from both parties have argued most of the information was already public.
Committee ranking member Rep. Robert Garcia, D-Calif., said Democrats found that “97% of the documents” had been previously available.
Attorney General Pam Bondi has previously said the Trump administration reviewed Epstein-related evidence and concluded the disgraced financier died by suicide and did not leave behind a “client list.” Bondi suggested in February that list was on her desk, although she later clarified that she was referring to the overall case file.
Nonetheless, the DOJ’s handling of the Epstein federal investigation has resulted in bipartisan criticism.
Maxwell is currently serving a 20-year sentence for helping him sexually exploit and abuse underage girls. Epstein was found dead in his jail cell in 2019. He was awaiting trial for allegedly orchestrating a child sex trafficking ring along with Maxwell.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.