After months of political speculation and public anticipation, the Department of Justice and FBI conclude their exhaustive review of Jeffrey E. Epstein’s files, reaffirming his 2019 suicide and denying the existence of a client list or blackmail scheme. Photo: VIC

The findings, which dash hopes of new revelations about Epstein’s extensive network, have sparked frustration among some conservative activists and lawmakers who anticipated blockbuster disclosures, while others see the closure as a step toward refocusing on victim justice.

The two-page memo, released late Sunday night, detailed an “exhaustive review” of Epstein-related files, including digital and physical searches of FBI databases, hard drives, and storage areas. The review, ordered by President Donald Trump’s administration, found “no incriminating ‘client list’” and “no credible evidence that Epstein blackmailed prominent individuals as part of his actions,” contradicting long-standing conspiracy theories. It also confirmed that Epstein, found dead in his Manhattan jail cell on August 10, 2019, died by suicide, supported by newly released security footage showing no one entering or leaving his cell area that night. “The FBI enhanced the relevant footage by increasing its contrast, balancing the color, and improving its sharpness for greater clarity and viewability,” the memo stated, aligning with prior findings by the New York City medical examiner and the DOJ’s inspector general.

Epstein, a wealthy financier who socialized with Wall Street tycoons, celebrities, and political figures, was arrested in July 2019 on federal sex trafficking and conspiracy charges for allegedly abusing dozens of girls, some as young as 14, between 2002 and 2005. His 2008 Florida plea deal, which allowed him to serve just 13 months in jail with work release after pleading guilty to state prostitution charges, drew widespread criticism for its leniency. The DOJ’s memo acknowledged over 1,000 victims of Epstein’s abuse, emphasizing that “combatting child exploitation and providing justice to victims are top priorities,” and that “perpetuating unfounded theories about Epstein serves neither of those ends.”

The announcement follows months of anticipation stoked by Attorney General Pamela Bondi, who had promised significant disclosures. In February 2025, Bondi released a first batch of 341 pages of Epstein files, including flight logs, a redacted contact book, and an evidence list cataloging items like a CD labeled “girl pics nude book 4” from Epstein’s properties. However, the release disappointed many, as most documents were already public from prior lawsuits or Ghislaine Maxwell’s 2021 trial, where she was convicted of trafficking-related charges and sentenced to 20 years. “This Department of Justice is following through on President Trump’s commitment to transparency and lifting the veil on the disgusting actions of Jeffrey Epstein and his co-conspirators,” Bondi said at the time.

That initial release, accompanied by a high-profile event where conservative influencers like Jack Posobiec and Chaya Raichik received binders labeled “The Epstein Files: Phase 1” at the White House, drew criticism for lacking new revelations. “We’re all waiting for juicy stuff, and that’s not what’s in this binder at all,” influencer Liz Wheeler said in a video. Representative Anna Paulina Luna (R-FL) called it a “complete disappointment,” tweeting, “GET US THE INFORMATION WE ASKED FOR!” Bondi responded by accusing FBI agents in New York of withholding thousands of pages, ordering FBI Director Kash Patel to investigate and deliver all files by February 28. Patel vowed, “If there are gaps, we will find them. If records have been hidden, we will uncover them.”

The July memo, however, appears to close the door on further releases, stating that “no further disclosure would be appropriate or warranted” due to the sensitive nature of materials, including “tens of thousands” of videos potentially containing child pornography. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt defended the decision, noting that some files were withheld because they were “incredibly graphic and contained child pornography.” She clarified that Bondi’s earlier references to a “client list” referred to the entirety of Epstein’s paperwork, not a specific list. “This administration wants anyone who has ever committed a crime to be held accountable,” Leavitt said, emphasizing the DOJ’s “exhaustive investigation.”

The findings have reignited tensions. Conservative figures like Jack Posobiec questioned the DOJ’s conclusions, stating, “If there were no clients, why is Ghislaine Maxwell still in jail?” Others, like Robby Starbuck, demanded clarity on Bondi’s earlier promises, asking, “Was she lying then or is she lying now? We deserve answers.” Democrats, meanwhile, have seized on the lack of new evidence to critique the administration’s handling. Representative Eric Swalwell (D-CA) tweeted a redacted document page, writing, “You were promised the full Epstein files. You got this.”

Victims’ advocates expressed mixed reactions. “The focus should be on supporting the over 1,000 survivors, not chasing conspiracy theories,” said Sarah Klein, a lawyer representing several Epstein victims. She praised the DOJ’s efforts to protect victim identities but urged continued scrutiny of systemic failures, like the 2008 plea deal negotiated by then-U.S. Attorney Alexander Acosta, which a 2020 DOJ report criticized for “poor judgment.” Conversely, some survivors expressed disappointment, hoping for accountability for Epstein’s high-profile associates, including former Presidents Bill Clinton and Donald Trump, Britain’s Prince Andrew, and others named in prior documents but not accused of crimes.

The memo’s release has also fueled speculation about political motives, especially after a public feud between Trump and Elon Musk, who claimed in June 2025 that Trump’s name was in the files, a charge Trump dismissed as “old news.” The DOJ’s findings align with earlier investigations, including a 2023 inspector general report that cited “negligence, misconduct, and outright job performance failures” at the Metropolitan Correctional Center but found no evidence of foul play in Epstein’s death.