Republicans Urge Justice Department to Release JFK and Epstein Files Amid Continued Delays

Republicans Urge Justice Department to Release JFK and Epstein Files Amid Continued Delays

Republican lawmakers are intensifying their demands for the Justice Department to expedite the release of classified documents pertaining to the assassination of President John F. Kennedy and other federal secrets. This push comes as the public and lawmakers alike seek greater transparency regarding key historical events.

In January, former President Donald Trump signed an executive order instructing federal agencies to formulate plans for the distribution of these files. This order also encompasses documents related to the assassinations of Senator Robert F. Kennedy and civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Leading this initiative, Representative Anna Paulina Luna from Florida has been vocal about her efforts as chair of the House Oversight Committee’s Task Force on the Declassification of Federal Secrets. She is seeking answers from the Justice Department about the timeline for these document releases but reports facing silence thus far.

In a recent post on X, Luna highlighted her frustrations, stating, “On February 11 and February 19, the House Oversight sent a letter to the DOJ requesting status updates on releasing the Epstein files alongside JFK documents. The DOJ has not responded. I am reaching out on X because we can’t seem to get a response from the Attorney General. @AGPamBondi, what is the status of the documents? These documents were ordered to be declassified.”

Luna’s efforts include a direct appeal to key officials such as Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, Attorney General Pam Bondi, National Security Advisor Michael Waltz, and White House Counsel David Warrington, requesting a briefing by Thursday about their plans for releasing these documents.

Additionally, the letter emphasizes the necessity of details regarding when declassified documents will be available to the task force and the public.

Executive Order and Delays

Trump’s executive order mandated the Justice Department to work closely with Gabbard, Waltz, and Warrington to finalize a release plan for the JFK files by February 7. Furthermore, a plan for the release of documents related to Martin Luther King Jr. and Robert F. Kennedy was to be established by March 9.

In parallel, Luna is pressing the Justice Department for information regarding Jeffrey Epstein’s client list. Epstein, a financier who faced serious charges related to sex trafficking, died in 2019 under contentious circumstances while awaiting trial.

Bondi, in a statement last Friday, acknowledged that Epstein’s client list is under review. She also noted that she had been examining the Kennedy and King files concurrently.

Regarding the Epstein documents, Bondi stated, “It’s sitting on my desk right now to review. That’s been a directive from President Trump.” This statement adds a layer of urgency to the process as Bondi is tasked with thorough examinations of these critical documents.

Responses from Government Officials

The Justice Department has not responded promptly to requests for comments regarding this matter from Fox News Digital. Similarly, Luna’s office has not issued comments in response to Bondi’s statements, leaving questions about the progress surrounding the document reviews.

Notably, Luna is not alone in her efforts. Senator Marsha Blackburn from Tennessee has echoed similar sentiments, indicating that Democratic lawmakers have obstructed her attempts to uncover information related to Epstein’s trafficking activities. Blackburn is assertive about her intentions and expects answers under the supervision of the recently confirmed FBI Director Kash Patel.

Blackburn expressed the urgency of this matter, stating, “The time for transparency is now.” Her insistence underscores the broader sentiment among Republicans who believe that citizens deserve access to these documents.

Senator Mike Lee of Utah also contributed to the discussion on social media, arguing that these records are the property of the American people, asserting, “It’s about damn time they be given access to it!” This sentiment is shared widely among constituents who feel entitled to understand their government’s history.

National Intelligence’s Input

The Office for the Director of National Intelligence has yet to respond to requests for comments but indicated in a communication with the Associated Press that a plan regarding the Kennedy files is currently in place.

Meanwhile, the White House has been silent, not responding to inquiries from Fox News Digital concerning the ongoing efforts related to JFK document releases. However, Trump previously promised during his campaign that he would declassify all documents related to JFK if he were to secure the presidency again in the 2024 election.

Coming Up: Public Hearing on Declassification

The House’s Task Force on the Declassification of Federal Secrets is scheduled to hold its inaugural public hearing on March 26. This session is anticipated to shed more light on these classified documents and the ongoing efforts for their release.

As the pressure mounts for increased transparency, the next steps from the Justice Department and associated officials will be closely watched by both lawmakers and a public eager for answers.

Fox News’ Haley Chi-Sing contributed to this report.