Ross Leads Democratic Women’s Caucus in Demanding that Office of the Inspector General Investigate DOJ’s Failure to Release the Epstein Files

Washington, D.C. - Congresswomen Deborah Ross (NC-02) and Sydney Kamlager-Dove (CA-37), Policy Task Force Co-Chairs of the Democratic Women's Caucus (DWC), led 67 DWC members in calling on the Acting Inspector General of the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), Don R. Berthiaume, to conduct a thorough investigation into the release of the Epstein files in accordance with the Epstein Files Transparency Act. The letter also calls on him to intervene using all available authorities to ensure the Epstein files are released in full compliance with the law and in a survivor-centered manner.

DOJ has failed to release even a fraction of the Epstein files more than one month after the deadline required by the Epstein Files Transparency Act. The agency has also implemented inconsistent and unexplained redactions in the few files that they have released and refused to produce the legally required report to Congress that explains the redactions and identifies any elected officials associated with the investigation. DOJ's actions to this point have failed survivors and protected abusers.

This letter follows a series of actions that Congresswoman Ross has taken to hold DOJ accountable and support the Epstein survivors-including championing multiple meetings with the survivors and leading her House Judiciary Committee colleagues in demanding that Chair Jim Jordan allow survivors to testify.

In their letter, the Members demanded a thorough investigation into the release of the Epstein files in accordance with the Epstein Files Transparency Act:

"As Members of the Democratic Women's Caucus, women's safety and justice for survivors is our top priority. For years, we have worked alongside survivors to elevate their voices, push for accountability, and advance survivor-centered oversight and reforms. We have met with survivors of Epstein and his associates multiple times and heard their harrowing testimonies firsthand; the continued lack of care and respect shown to them in this process is baffling, disappointing, and deeply immoral. We echo the survivors' requests and demand a thorough investigation into the release of the Epstein files in accordance with the Epstein Files Transparency Act. We also demand that the Office of the Inspector General intervene using all available authorities to ensure the files are released in full compliance with the law and in a survivor-centered manner."

The Members concluded their letter by imploring the Acting Inspector General to bring to light the misconduct, negligence, and failures of compliance within DOJ and to ensure meaningful corrective action where warranted:

"The survivors of Epstein and his associates have been repeatedly traumatized by this process. First, by the horrific abuse they endured, and again by a government response that has treated their safety, dignity, and right to justice as secondary considerations. DOJ's failures have compounded this harm. As Acting Inspector General, it is your duty to investigate and bring to light misconduct, negligence, and failures of compliance within the DOJ, and to ensure meaningful corrective action where warranted. Survivors deserve a process that is lawful, survivor-centered, and grounded in accountability. We expect you to fulfill that duty."

Read the full letter here.

In addition to letter leads Deborah Ross and Sydney Kamlager-Dove, the letter was signed by Becca Balint, Nanette Barragán, Joyce Beatty, Suzanne Bonamici, Julia Brownley, Shontel Brown, Nikki Budzinski, Kathy Castor, Judy Chu, Yvette Clarke, Angie Craig, Jasmine Crockett, Madeleine Dean, Diana DeGette, Suzan DelBene, Debbie Dingell, Sarah Elfreth, Veronica Escobar, Lizzie Fletcher, Valerie Foushee, Lois Frankel, Laura Friedman, Sylvia Garcia, Laura Gillen, Maggie Goodlander, Jahana Hayes, Chrissy Houlahan, Val Hoyle, Sara Jacobs, Julie Johnson, Marcy Kaptur, Summer Lee, Susie Lee, Teresa Leger Fernandez, Zoe Lofgren, Doris Matsui, Lucy McBath, Sarah McBride, April McClain Delaney, LaMonica McIver, Grace Meng, Gwen Moore, Kelly Morrison, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Brittany Pettersen, Nellie Pou, Ayanna Pressley, Delia Ramirez, Emily Randall, Andrea Salinas, Mary Gay Scanlon, Hillary Scholten, Lateefah Simon, Melanie Stansbury, Haley Stevens, Marilyn Strickland, Emilia Sykes, Rashida Tlaib, Jill Tokuda, Norma Torres, Lori Trahan, Debbie Wasserman Schultz, Bonnie Watson Coleman, Nikema Williams, and Frederica Wilson.

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Permalink: https://ross.house.gov/2026/1/ross-leads-democratic-women-s-caucus-in-demanding-that-office-of-the-inspector-general-investigate-doj-s-failure-to-release-the-epstein-files