On August 29, 1996, Maria Farmer reported her sexual assault by Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell to the New York Police Department. Following police advice, Farmer contacted the FBI. Within days, the agency classified the case as “child pornography” due to the existence of explicit photographs. It took nearly three decades for the Epstein Files Transparency Act, enacted on November 19, 2025, to mandate the public release of files, including Farmer’s 1996 complaint, by December 19. Despite this, the Department of Justice (DOJ) under Pam Bondi has not fully complied with the law, prompting calls for accountability.
Congressional leaders are being urged to question six former FBI directors who had access to Farmer’s original complaint during their tenures. These include Louis French, Robert Mueller, James Comey, Andrew McCabe, Christopher Wray, and Kash Patel. Additionally, ten former DOJ leaders since 1996 should also testify, including Janet Reno, John Ashcroft, Alberto Gonzales, Michael Mukasey, Eric Holder, Loretta Lynch, Jeff Sessions, William Barr, Merrick Garland, and Pam Bondi.
These officials may face critical questions regarding their awareness of the 1996 Epstein-Maxwell complaint, including when they first learned of it and the actions taken upon that knowledge. Congress is particularly interested in whether the complaint was ever flagged or re-reviewed during later investigations into Epstein and related sex-trafficking cases.
Another focus of the inquiry will be any systemic failures within both the FBI and DOJ in handling child sex-abuse cases. Officials will need to explain what measures were taken during their tenures to ensure proper logging, assessment, and reporting of such sensitive cases.
The issue of accountability for those who may have neglected their duties in light of the allegations against Epstein is also a pressing concern. Congress may seek to determine what recourse is appropriate for any FBI director or DOJ leader who failed to adequately address the serious accusations related to child pornography.
Concerns have also been raised about the culture within these agencies. Questions may arise regarding whether Maria Farmer’s credibility was undermined due to Epstein’s wealth and connections. Officials must clarify if there was any hesitation to pursue the case out of fear of “rocking the boat” with influential figures.
The potential for a bipartisan congressional investigation is gaining traction, with advocates calling for a thorough examination of the handling of Farmer’s complaint and other related leads since 1996. Lawmakers are encouraged to support measures that would not only address the failures of federal officials but also provide remedies for the approximately 1,200 female survivors whose abuse could have been prevented had the complaint been pursued effectively. This could include expedited victim compensation and formal apologies from the FBI and DOJ.
Citizens are encouraged to contact their congressional representatives to support a comprehensive investigation into the actions of the six FBI directors and ten DOJ leaders connected to the Epstein case. Key legislators responsible for oversight in this area include House Representatives James Comer (R-Ky.), Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.), Robert Garcia (D-Calif.), and others, as well as Senators such as Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) and Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.).
In addition to seeking accountability, advocates are asking Congress to eliminate the statute of limitations for criminal charges and civil lawsuits related to child pornography, sexual assault, and sex trafficking. There is also a push for revisions to the Epstein Files Transparency Act to prevent excessive redactions that might shield powerful individuals from scrutiny while still protecting the identities of victims.
This call for investigation reflects a growing urgency to address historical grievances and ensure that justice is served for all survivors of abuse connected to Jeffrey Epstein and his associates.
