Democracy Forward filed a first-of-its-kind lawsuit over the Trump-Vance 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 underage girls.
The Epstein Files allegedly expose those in positions of power who may have been involved in or enabled widespread sexual exploitation—and whether the government failed to hold them accountable. The newly unsealed documents reveal communications, flight logs, and testimony connected to Jeffrey Epstein’s decades-long abuse network involving wealthy, politically connected individuals. This scandal raises urgent questions about how powerful people escape consequences, whether victims were silenced, and if law enforcement or federal agencies turned a blind eye.
On July 25, 2025, we filed several requests under the Freedom of Information Act with the DOJ and the FBI, seeking communications from senior administration officials regarding the Epstein Files, including correspondence between President Trump and Epstein, as well as records concerning the agency’s review of the matter. The requests were filed to shed light on the Trump-Vance administration’s handling of the Epstein Files.
In addition to the initial request, Democracy Forward also submitted a request for the government to release this information in an expedited manner. Though there was an acknowledgment receipt of the original request, the appeal for urgency was ignored. The lawsuit seeks to force the government to treat the matter with the importance it demands.
In November 2025, the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia granted Democracy Forward’s motion for summary judgment–an order to decide the case without a trial–and compelled the DOJ to expedite nearly all aspects of our FOIA requests.
Even after that order, DOJ sought to stonewall additional progress in the case through objecting to Democracy Forward’s filing of an amended complaint to add a claim that DOJ violated federal law through failing to meet its deadlines for releasing non-exempt records.
Rather than allow DOJ’s procedural hurdles to delay the public’s right to know what its government is up to, on December 8, 2025, Democracy Forward moved to withdraw its amendment request and will pursue all necessary legal action to ensure DOJ fully complies with FOIA and releases all non-exempt records.
Timeline
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We file a complaint to compel the release of communications from senior administration officials regarding the Epstein Files.
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We file a motion for summary judgment.
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The District Court for the District of Columbia grants, in part, our motion for summary judgment.
