The Epstein Files: A Rift?

By: Katherine Ferenchick

Intro:

Jeffrey Epstein was a prominent figure with many connections in the political, business, and entertainment world. After Epstein's 2019 arrest, he was convicted of sex trafficking and other related crimes. Since his subsequent death in jail, there has been public outcry to release the Epstein files, which many believe holds a client list of public figures who enabled his sex trafficking and even participated. For many, the files represent accountability and a fight against elite impunity. 

In the past few weeks, these demands have risen under the U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi, as she has announced the files are on her desk, but that the majority of which would not be released. Simultaneously, numerous sources have revealed the various connections President Donald J. Trump has to Epstein, including writing birthday cards and appearing in numerous photos alongside him. This has enabled rumors to rise about Donald Trump's role with the Epstein case and ulterior motives for halting the release of the files. This article will analyze Pam Bondi's connection to Donald Trump that may lead to current actions and decisions, as well as what Republican backlash may reveal about the party and its alliances to Trump. 

Pam Bondi and Donald Trump’s relation

Pam Bondi’s confirmation to the role of U.S. Attorney General in February 2025 reaffirmed President Donald Trump’s continued influence over the Republican Party’s power structure. A loyal Trump ally and former Florida Attorney General, Bondi built her national profile as an unwavering supporter of Trump’s personal and political interests. Her appointment by a narrow, party-line Senate vote reflects the control Donald Trump holds over the Republican Party, and his desire for loyalists specific to him. 

Once Pam Bondi was sworn in as the Attorney General, she pledged full disclosure of the Department of Justice’s extensive Epstein case files. This promise was celebrated amongst populist Republican voters convinced that an elite “client list” existed, and that it would expose a network of wrongdoing, mostly by Democratic political figures such as Bill Clinton. For months, Bondi and her office wielded this narrative, until Bondi claimed in Spring of 2025 that the files were “on her desk,” ready for review and release.

However, the July 2025 decision to release only 900 heavily redacted pages, accounting for less than 1% of the entire archive, sparked backlash across the political spectrum. Bondi justified the decision on the grounds of protecting victims’ privacy and maintaining prosecutorial integrity, but critics argued the rationale was to protect information that may harm politicians, including Donald Trump. To expand this argument, the Wall Street Journal recently reported that Pam Bondi told Donald Trump that his name was on the list. The newspaper company is now being sued by Trump, who claims these are false reports. In order to understand Bondi and Trump's unique relationship, one must look at another situation where the Attorney General had sensitive information on the president who nominated them: Richard Nixon.

During the Watergate scandal, President Richard Nixon’s Attorney General, Elliot Richardson, became a key figure in continuing the investigation, despite personal ties to Nixon. After Nixon ordered Richardson to fire special prosecutor Archibald Cox, who was in charge of examining the break-in and the cover-up of the Watergate hotel scandal, Richardson refused to follow this order and chose to resign instead, in what became known as the “Saturday Night Massacre.” His refusal to carry out the order allowed for a thorough investigation, ultimately leading to Nixon’s resignation. Richardson chose to prioritize the law over his personal loyalty to Nixon, showing the unique role the Attorney General must choose between when faced with a political scandal. 

In contrast, Pam Bondi has been very personally loyal to Donald Trump, acting how she believes would be best for the president rather than the country, if the Wall Street Journal report is correct. Trump and Bondi’s relationship is rooted in individual trust rather than political ideals, leading to heavy backlash from their own party, the Republican Party.  

The Republican Party divide

Since the failure to release all the files, Trump and Bondi have been facing pressure from members of the Republican Party, showing a split between ties to Trump and ties to personal boundaries. While some Republican lawmakers, notably Marjorie Taylor Greene–previously a strong loyalist to Donald Trump–have called for the release of the files, others have chosen to defend Trump, including House Speaker Mike Johnson. Johnson announced that any floor vote on bipartisan measures to disclose additional document releases would be postponed until September. While he framed the decision as a procedural necessity for summer recess, the move effectively protects Bondi and the DOJ from immediate congressional scrutiny and public hearings. 

This delay reveals how congressional Republicans remain torn between aligning with Trump and Bondi despite public outcry, or favoring the release and holding figures in the file accountable. Bondi’s decision—widely perceived as an effort to protect Trump or shield potentially catastrophic connections—and all those siding with the DOJ, suggests that allegiance to Trump still supersedes broader party interests or public outcry. However, the backlash from within signals that Republicans are increasingly willing to challenge Trump. This divide may reflect as the 2026 midterms grow closer. 

The midterm elections and consequences

The split in the Republican Party, in addition to the large public outcry to release the files, may turn out to shape the 2026 midterms. After the majority of Republican lawmakers have been loyal to Trump, this divide may show whether civilians that voted for Trump did so with allegiance to him or just their idea of him. Although some voters may be dissuaded from the party all together, the elections could show where key support lies. The backlash towards the DOJ shows that within the GOP, a reckoning may be brewing.

For almost a decade, Donald Trump has held a strong grip on the Republican Party, causing many GOP members to either side with him and show their loyalties or risk losing their seat in government. The hesitation to release the Epstein files by Pam Bondi, possibly due to personal ties with Donald Trump,  has created a break within the party between Trump allegiance and desire for accountability. Pam Bondi has a unique tie with Trump as his attorney general, and The midterm elections will show the consequences of this alliance.