Democracy Forward President & CEO Skye Perryman: “President Trump has repeatedly said he would release the Epstein files, his spokesperson claims his administration is ‘the most transparent in history,’ and yet, they continue to hide from the American people. The only thing transparent about the Trump-Vance administration is how clearly they continue to disregard our nation’s laws.”
Washington, D.C. – On Friday, Democracy Forward sued the Trump-Vance administration in the first lawsuit to be filed over the administration’s handling of records commonly referred to as the “Epstein Files” – documents that the Attorney General previously indicated include a roster that disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein kept of powerful clients to whom he trafficked underaged girls.
The lawsuit requests senior administration officials’ communications regarding Epstein documents from the U.S. Department of Justice and Federal Bureau of Investigation, including those regarding correspondence between Trump and Epstein, as well as records of agency review of the Epstein matter itself.
Read the filing here.
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The Associated Press: New lawsuit on Epstein case seeks records of Trump administration communications
A legal organization challenging President Donald Trump’s administration on multiple fronts filed a new lawsuit on Friday seeking the release of records detailing the handling of the sex trafficking investigation into Jeffrey Epstein.
The group Democracy Forward sued the Justice Department and the FBI for senior administration officials’ communication about Epstein documents and any regarding correspondence between him and Trump.
“The court should intervene urgently to ensure the public has access to the information they need about this extraordinary situation,” said Skye Perryman, the president and CEO of the Democratic-aligned group, in a statement. The federal government often shields records related to criminal investigations from public view.
CNN’s The Lead with Jake Tapper: “This is Really About the Cover Up”: Skye Perryman on Trump Admin’s Handling of Epstein Files
Skye Perryman: “We want to know what this administration is hiding and in particular, who has been involved in what appears to be a political cover up and political interference at the Department of Justice. We have requested communications between Department of Justice officials and White House officials. We have requested internal communications at the Department of Justice that will show the discussions of this administration as they continue to not provide the American people the information they promised they would provide. This is really about the cover up and seeking to understand what the administration is hiding.”
The Guardian: Lawsuit seeks justice department and FBI communications about Epstein investigation
An advocacy group sued the US justice department and the FBI on Friday for records detailing their handling of the sex-trafficking investigation into the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
The legal organization Democracy Forward is seeking records related to senior administration officials’ communication about Epstein documents and any regarding correspondence between Epstein and Donald Trump.
The lawsuit, filed in federal court in Washington DC appears to be the first of its kind. The group says it submitted requests under the Freedom of Information Act (Foia) for the records related to communications about the case in late July that have not yet been fulfilled.
Democracy Forward has filed dozens of lawsuits against Trump’s Republican administration, challenging a wide range of its policies and the president’s executive orders.
MSNBC’s The Briefing with Jen Psaki: Lawsuit threatens to BLOW THE LID OFF the Trump White House’s Epstein secrets
As the Trump administration continues to play coy with the Jeffrey Epstein files they once promised to release to the public, Democracy Forward is suing for access to the internal communications within the Trump administration about the handling of the Epstein files.
The lawsuit includes communications by press secretary Karoline Leavitt, which would likely provide a window on Donald Trump’s participation in the matter as well. Skye Perryman, president and CEO of Democracy Forward, and Barry Levine, who investigated Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell for his book, “The Spider,” discuss with Jen Psaki.
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Democracy Forward Foundation is a national legal organization that advances democracy and social progress through litigation, policy, public education, and regulatory engagement. For more information, please visit www.democracyforward.org.