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Jayapal targets Todd Blanche, Kash Patel over Epstein files
The lawmaker said officials are shielding abusers and harming survivors.
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Anushka Pathak - Wed, 04, Feb 2026
- 12:21 EST
- 23
Rep. Pramila Jayapal / X/@RepJayapal
Rep. Pramila Jayapal sharply criticized Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche and FBI Director Kash Patel over their handling of the release of Jeffrey Epstein-related files.
She accused the officials of minimizing evidence and retraumatizing survivors by refusing further investigations.
ALSO READ: Khanna slams DOJ remarks on Epstein associations
According to Jayapal, Blanche and Patel officially stating that there was “nothing to investigate” were “stunning,” particularly in light of what she described as serious failures in the Department of Justice’s (DOJ) document release.
I just got off a Zoom call with some of the Epstein survivors. The way the DOJ has handled the release of these files is absolutely horrific. Victims' names have been released, they are being retraumatized, and the DOJ is saying they won't investigate further. We need justice for… pic.twitter.com/RulwikWMYZ
— Rep. Pramila Jayapal (@RepJayapal) February 4, 2026
She said materials pointed to “a long, extensive list of people that should be investigated” and questioned how senior officials could conclude no further action was warranted.
“It is stunning to me that Todd Blanche and Kash Patel are saying there’s nothing to investigate here,” Jayapal said. The Democrat further said that the DOJ release of the files exposed survivors while protecting alleged perpetrators.
“Of the 32 victims, only one of the victim’s names and personal information was redacted,” Jayapal said, adding that nude photos of women and girls, previously reported by the New York Times, were included. “There has been zero apology from the DOJ, zero effort to try to correct any of this, and it’s absolutely horrific,” she said.
Focusing her criticism on Blanche and Patel, Jayapal said their decision to end the investigation had direct consequences for survivors. “This is retraumatizing these survivors,” she said. “It is so outrageous that it’s not being investigated, and I think we have to do everything we can to bring justice to these survivors now.”
The DOJ released nearly 3 million pages of Epstein-related records after missing a congressional deadline by more than a month. Blanche has said the review is complete and that no additional investigations are planned beyond Epstein.
Survivors and their lawyers have criticized the release, citing thousands of redaction failures that exposed names, personal information, and images, leading to harassment and threats.
Survivor groups have issued joint statements accusing the Justice Department of shielding abusers while exposing victims. The files include investigative notes, allegations, and third-party statements but are not adjudicated findings. Demands for accountability have continued more than six years after Epstein’s death in federal custody.
Discover more at New India Abroad.
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