Goldman demands answers after 74 days past Bondi deadlines

RDRep. Dan Goldman (D-NY) sent a letter to Attorney General Pam Bondi on May 12, 2025, marking 74 days since Bondi set two deadlines on the Epstein files. On February 27, Bondi demanded the FBI deliver all files within 24 hours and ordered FBI Director Kash Patel to produce a comprehensive report within 14 days. Neither deadline produced results.

Goldman asked Bondi four direct questions: Does DOJ possess all Epstein files from the FBI? Have victim identity redactions been completed? Has Trump's name or identity been specifically redacted? And has the president, the White House, or any agent of Trump's contacted DOJ about the files?

The February 27 'Phase 1' release drew immediate criticism. The DOJ admitted it 'largely contains documents that have been previously leaked.' Conservative influencers received binders labeled 'Epstein Files: Phase 1' at the White House, but several said the binders contained little new information. Liz Wheeler said people were looking for new information 'and that's not what's in' the folder.

Goldman cited Trump's documented connections to Epstein in his letter. Epstein's leaked address book contained 14 phone numbers for Trump, his wife Melania, and his staff. Flight logs showed Trump flew on Epstein's private jet at least seven times between 1993 and 1997. Goldman wrote he had 'grave concern' about what appeared to be a 'concerted effort' to delay the files 'potentially at the direction of the sitting President.'

Goldman gave Bondi a June 2, 2025 deadline to respond in writing. Bondi never responded. As a minority party member, Goldman can't issue subpoenas or compel testimony. His only enforcement tool was public pressure through the letter itself.

The pressure came from both parties. Rep. Anna Paulina Luna (R-FL), who chaired the House declassification task force, also wrote to Bondi demanding she 'stop stonewalling' on the Epstein files. Luna noted that 🏛️Virginia Giuffre, one of Epstein's most prominent victims, had recently died by suicide, making transparency more urgent.

On July 7, 2025, the DOJ and FBI released a two-page memo concluding there was no Epstein 'client list,' no evidence he blackmailed associates, and that he died by suicide. The memo didn't address Goldman's specific questions about White House intervention. It said investigators found 'no credible evidence' of blackmail and 'no incriminating client list.'

Congress eventually forced the issue by passing the Epstein Files Transparency Act on November 18, 2025. The House voted 427-1, with Rep. Clay Higgins (R-LA) casting the only no vote. Trump signed it into law the next day. The law required all unclassified files released within 30 days, but the December 19 release was heavily redacted with over 500 pages entirely blacked out.