Tennessee Senator Marsha Blackburn has formally requested newly confirmed FBI Director Kash Patel to release the complete and unredacted files related to the Jeffrey Epstein sex trafficking case. In a letter sent to Patel, Blackburn emphasized the need for transparency and accountability in uncovering the full scope of Epstein’s network, which has long been shrouded in secrecy.
“For years, my efforts to crack the Epstein trafficking ring wide open have been stonewalled by Democrats at every turn,” Blackburn wrote in a post on X on Monday. “This will change under @FBIDirectorKash. The time for transparency is now.”
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Jeffrey Epstein, a financier and convicted sex offender, was charged with sex trafficking of minors and conspiracy to commit sex trafficking before his death in a New York jail in 2019. His case has remained a focal point of public interest due to his connections to high-profile figures, including politicians, business leaders, and celebrities.
Last year, a New York judge ruled to unseal documents containing the names of over 170 individuals associated with Epstein. While the list included prominent names such as former President Bill Clinton, Prince Andrew, and the late physicist Stephen Hawking, it did not provide details about Epstein’s alleged clients or their involvement in his crimes.
Blackburn, a Republican member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, has been a vocal advocate for releasing all records related to Epstein’s activities. These records include flight logs and a “little black book” containing names and addresses of clients, which was owned by Epstein’s associate, Ghislaine Maxwell. Maxwell was convicted of sex trafficking in 2021 and is currently serving a 20-year prison sentence.
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In a video posted on X earlier this month, Blackburn revealed that Patel had pledged to work with her on releasing the Epstein files. “Just last week, the President’s excellent pick for FBI Director, Kash Patel, vowed to work with me in releasing the Epstein records and breaking apart the trafficking rings that harm countless women and children across our country,” Blackburn said. “To be clear, this is not a celebrity issue. This is about ending modern-day slavery and finding out who is participating in sex trafficking.”
Patel, who was sworn in as FBI Director on February 21, 2025, after being confirmed by the Senate, has signaled a willingness to address long-standing concerns about government transparency. His appointment by President Donald Trump has been seen as a move to reform the FBI and prioritize investigations into high-profile cases like Epstein’s.
The push to release the Epstein files comes as Attorney General Pam Bondi confirmed that she is reviewing a list of Epstein’s clients. “It’s sitting on my desk right now to review,” Bondi said during a recent interview with Fox News. “That’s been a directive by President Trump.”
House Oversight Committee Launches Transparency Task Force
Blackburn’s push for transparency aligns with broader efforts in Congress to declassify federal secrets and restore public trust in government institutions. The House Oversight Committee has established a new task force dedicated to investigating a range of high-profile issues, including the assassinations of John F. Kennedy, Robert F. Kennedy, and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., as well as unidentified aerial phenomena (UAPs), the Epstein client list, the origins of COVID-19, and the 9/11 files.
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The task force, led by Congresswoman Anna Paulina Luna (R-FL), builds on an executive order signed by President Trump last month, which initiated the declassification of files related to the assassinations of JFK, RFK, and MLK.
“For far too long, the American people have had reasonable questions about what their government—which they fund every day—keeps hidden,” said House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer (R-KY). “This creates distrust in our institutions. That ends today.”
Comer praised Luna as the ideal leader for the task force, citing her relentless pursuit of government accountability. “Representative Luna is a sledgehammer against government secrecy,” he said. “I can think of no better person in Congress to lead this task force.”
In her remarks, Luna emphasized the importance of transparency and the need to restore trust between the government and the American people. “When our founding fathers stood against tyranny, they defended the sacred idea of individual sovereignty,” she said. “For too long, the American spirit has been dimmed by a veil of secrecy.”
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Luna outlined the task force’s ambitious agenda, which includes:
- Investigating the assassinations of JFK, RFK, and MLK.
- Examining unidentified aerial phenomena (UAPs) and unidentified submerged objects (USOs).
- Reviewing the Epstein client list.
- Exploring the origins of COVID-19.
- Revisiting the 9/11 files.
“This task force will be a relentless pursuit of truth and transparency,” Luna declared. “We will not stop until the American people have the answers they deserve.”
The task force will operate on a bipartisan basis, with Republican members including Representatives Tim Burchett (R-TN), Lauren Boebert (R-CO), Michael Cloud (R-TX), Eli Crane (R-AZ), and Nancy Mace (R-SC). Luna expressed hope that Democratic members would join the effort, noting that the issues at hand transcend party lines.
The task force’s first hearing, focused on the JFK assassination, is scheduled for March. Luna revealed that the investigation will challenge long-standing narratives, including the “single bullet theory,” and will feature testimony from attending physicians and individuals involved in previous government investigations, such as the Warren Commission.
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“Based on what I’ve seen so far, the initial hearing held in Congress was faulty,” Luna said. “I believe there were two shooters, and we should be finding more information as we gain access to classified files.”
Beyond the JFK assassination, the task force will tackle other contentious issues. Luna highlighted the need to address the stonewalling and “gaslighting” surrounding UAPs, as well as the public’s demand for answers about the Epstein client list and the origins of COVID-19.
“If we’re writing the budget for the Pentagon, why is it that we don’t have access to information about UAPs?” Luna asked. “This is not a free and true government.”
While Luna expressed optimism about cooperation from federal agencies, including the Department of Justice, Department of Defense, and CIA, she acknowledged potential obstacles. “If agencies stonewall us, I’m going to make that known to the American people,” she said.
As Blackburn and Patel work to release the Epstein files, and the House Oversight Committee’s task force begins its investigations, the push for government transparency is gaining momentum. These efforts could have far-reaching implications, potentially exposing long-held secrets and reigniting debates about accountability and trust in federal institutions.
For now, the American people are watching closely as these initiatives unfold, hopeful that the truth will finally come to light.
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