FBI’s Patel Responds to Short Epstein Case File Release
FBI Director Kash Patel has pledged to collaborate with the Attorney General’s office to make all case files tied to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein available to the public.
This week, Patel received a brief message from Attorney General Pam Bondi. In the letter, Bondi was informed that the FBI would release all documents connected to the case. That release, however, has not taken place.
In her communication to Patel, the Attorney General insisted that all protocols be properly followed. According to Bondi, an FBI insider had informed her that important documents were being withheld. She gave the Bureau a firm deadline—8 a.m. on Friday, February 28—to deliver all remaining files to her office. As of now, it is unclear if the full disclosure actually occurred. Patel has publicly stated that the release would indeed happen.
Posting on his X account, Patel wrote, “The FBI is entering a new era — one that will be defined by integrity, accountability, and the unwavering pursuit of justice. There will be no cover-ups, no missing documents, and no stone left unturned — and anyone from the prior or current Bureau who undermines this will be swiftly pursued.”
In a follow-up post, addressing a broader issue about FBI accountability, Patel made his expectations clear: “Stay the course and abide by our high standards, and I will always have your back. Deviate in anyway, and you will not be a part of this FBI,” he warned.
In the letter, Bondi made it clear that her concerns were not directed at Patel personally, acknowledging that her document request came before he assumed his role as Director on February 21.
“Before you came into office, I requested the full and complete files related to Jeffrey Epstein. In response to this request, I received approximately 200 pages of documents, which consisted primarily of flight logs, Epstein’s list of contacts, and a list of victims’ names and phone numbers,” Bondi explained.
She continued, saying, “I repeatedly questioned whether this was the full set of documents responsive to my request and was repeatedly assured by the FBI that we had received the full set of documents. Late yesterday I learned from a source that the FBI Field Office in New York was in possession of thousands of pages of documents related to the investigation and indictment of Epstein. Despite my repeated requests, the FBI never disclosed the existence of these files. When you and I spoke yesterday, you were just as surprised as I was to learn this new information.”
Bondi then set a hard deadline for compliance: “By 8:00 a.m. tomorrow, February 28, the FBI will deliver the full and complete Epstein files to my office, including all records, documents, audio and video recordings, and materials related to Jeffrey Epstein and his clients, regardless of how such information was obtained. There will be no withholdings or limitations to my or your access. The Department of Justice will ensure that any public disclosure of these files will be done in a manner to protect the privacy of victims and in accordance with law, as I have done my entire career as a prosecutor.”
She also demanded answers about the previous failure to comply, ordering Patel to conduct an internal review: “I am also directing you to conduct an immediate investigation into why my order to the FBI was not followed. You will deliver to me a comprehensive report of your findings and proposed personnel action within 14 days,” Bondi stated.
The Attorney General closed her letter by reinforcing her commitment to transparency: “I appreciate your immediate attention to this important matter. I know that we are both committed to transparency for the American people, and I look forward to continuing to work with you to serve our President and our country.”
Patel has since reaffirmed his commitment to cooperating fully with Bondi and the Department of Justice.