LI's 4 U.S. Reps. agree on Epstein case: Trump's administration should release the files

WASHINGTON — Long Island’s four U.S. House members all say the Trump administration should release records surrounding the case of Jeffrey Epstein, the financier accused of sex trafficking minors whose 2019 death in federal custody continues to fuel conspiracy theories.

Release of the files has consumed Capitol Hill and the White House as President Donald Trump continues to balk at calls from some of his most ardent supporters to release information about Epstein and associates who may be implicated in the documents.

"The truth of these crimes should be brought to light and fully investigated," Rep. Andrew Garbarino (R-Bayport) said in a statement to Newsday. "Anyone involved in the trafficking of underage girls must be brought to justice."

On Wednesday, the House began its five-week recess earlier than anticipated, after Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) opted Tuesday to suspend additional floor votes until September in an effort to quash a bipartisan push to force a floor vote on releasing the files. Johnson has called the effort "political games," and Trump has lashed out on social media, calling those demanding the documents "foolish" and "stupid."

"We have a moral responsibility to expose the evil of Epstein and everybody that was involved in that, absolutely, and we’re resolved to do it," Johnson said at a Tuesday press conference. "But we also have an equal moral responsibility to protect the innocent."

He said the administration should be given time to review the years-old files to ensure the names and information of victims is redacted.

Garbarino also cautioned against rushing to release the trove of documents. "We have a responsibility to protect the privacy of victims," Garbarino said, "and it is critical that a forced procedural vote does not circumvent the judicial process in a way that could unintentionally jeopardize their identities."

Rep. Nick LaLota (R-Amityville) said in a statement to Newsday that as "the father of three daughters, I want every person who trafficked underage girls to Epstein Island held accountable," referring to the small private island in the Caribbean where some of Epstein's victims allegedly were taken.

"If the government has evidence of trafficking, prosecutors should bring charges and make their case — or explain to the public why they haven’t," LaLota said.

Epstein was arrested in 2019 on charges he sex trafficked minors at his Manhattan and Palm Beach, Florida homes. Epstein, who shared a friendly relationship with Trump before he ran for president and before Epstein was charged, was found dead in his jail cell in August 2019, in what was classified as an act of suicide by hanging.

Epstein’s connections to powerful figures — including Trump, former President Bill Clinton and Prince Andrew of the British Royal Family — have ignited calls among a fired-up segment of Trump’s base for the release of information on Epstein’s alleged clients. None of the previously mentioned figures have been charged with wrongdoing and all have denounced Epstein since an initial 2006 arrest and conviction in South Florida on charges he solicited a minor for prostitution.

On Capitol Hill, Reps. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) and Ro Khanna (D-Calif.) are among the lawmakers who have been leading the push for a full vote on the Epstein documents.

Rep. Tom Suozzi (D-Glen Cove) said in a text message that the case "is not a big focus of mine. But my Republican colleagues seem to be consumed by this, and they should just release the files so we can focus on immigration and lowering costs."

Rep. Laura Gillen (D-Rockville Centre) in a statement to Newsday said: "This shouldn’t be difficult: these documents should be released. Congress’ work is being delayed while the GOP fights to keep these documents secret. That’s time wasted that could have been spent working on issues that make a difference for Long Island."

Trump’s name reportedly appears several times in the case files, according to a Wall Street Journal report Wednesday. The Journal reported that Trump was briefed that his name appears in the files by Attorney General Pam Bondi during a May meeting, but also notes that appearing in the records does not imply wrongdoing.

The White House Press Office on Wednesday dismissed the report as "fake news."

By Laura Figueroa Hernandez

laura.figueroa@newsday.com@Laura_Figueroa

Laura Figueroa Hernandez is the White House correspondent and previously covered New York City politics and government. She joined Newsday in 2012 after covering state and local politics for The Miami Herald.