Democratic Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett has sharply criticized the U.S. Department of Justice, accusing it of refusing to comply with a federal law mandating transparency around records connected to disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein.
In a post shared on social media, Crockett said the Epstein Transparency Act, which has been passed by both chambers of Congress and signed into law, is being openly defied by the Justice Department.
She alleged the refusal to release the files is aimed at shielding former President Donald Trump and other wealthy, powerful individuals.
“The Epstein Transparency Act is the law,” Crockett wrote. “Clearly, this DOJ is willing to defy it to protect Donald Trump and the rich and powerful. The survivors deserve truth and justice. Release the files.”
Crockett expanded on her claims during a panel discussion on MS Now, where she argued that legal and congressional mechanisms to compel disclosure are already in place.
She pointed to an existing lawful subpoena from the House Oversight Committee, in addition to the new statute, which she explained does not expire with the current Congress.
According to Crockett, the continued withholding of the Epstein-related documents reflects what she described as political loyalty overriding constitutional duty. She accused the attorney general of prioritizing allegiance to Trump over adherence to the law and the Constitution.
“It is very difficult to imagine how we are going to get anywhere with this particular DOJ,” Crockett said, adding that the administration appears determined to keep details hidden despite the law’s clear intent.
The Texas lawmaker further claimed that transparency could help protect survivors of sexual abuse and trafficking, while continued secrecy, she said, allows other influential figures potentially linked to Epstein to remain “in the shadows.”
Crockett did not provide specific evidence during the appearance to support her assertion that Trump is directly implicated in the files, but argued that releasing the documents would allow the public and survivors to determine the full scope of accountability.
The Department of Justice has not publicly responded to Crockett’s remarks. Trump has previously denied wrongdoing in connection with Epstein, who died in federal custody in 2019 while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges.
The Epstein Transparency Act was passed amid sustained public pressure for greater disclosure of records related to Epstein’s network and associates. Survivors and advocacy groups have long argued that releasing the files is essential for justice, accountability, and preventing future abuse.
Crockett’s comments are likely to intensify scrutiny of the DOJ’s handling of the Epstein records and fuel renewed debate in Washington over transparency, political influence, and the treatment of survivors in high-profile abuse cases.
