Rep. Tim Burchett (R-TN) expressed frustration over the failure to release files related to notorious pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, which many had expected to be made public, during a Thursday interview on NewsNation.
Attorney General Pam Bondi has faced significant criticism from some within the Trump base after she promised in February that the “Epstein files” were “sitting on her desk.” Instead, documents that had already been publicly released were distributed to influencers and journalists under the title “The Epstein Files: Phase One.”
Further releases never materialized, causing confusion. The situation escalated earlier this week when a Department of Justice memo confirmed that Epstein died by suicide and stated that the so-called client list, reportedly containing names of individuals involved in Epstein’s crimes, does not exist.
The memo angered some members of the Trump base who expected the list to be released, while others questioned whether the list ever existed. Burchett holds a third view, believing that any files documenting individuals involved in Epstein’s sex crimes were likely destroyed by the previous administration.
“I think the files existed at one time. I think they were destroyed in the previous administration. And I think if they’d ever had anything on Trump, it would have been out day one under the Biden Administration,” Burchett told NewsNation. “And I don’t, I think there’s some very prominent people. There’s Hollywood people, but I think there’s world leaders too. And would it have caused economic disruption around the globe? Maybe, but I don’t really care.”
The congressman was then asked whether it’s possible that many names on the alleged list may not have been involved in Epstein’s crimes but could still be unfairly implicated through guilt by association.
“What’s Ms. Maxwell doing in jail? What did she do? Where is that, you know, who did she provide? Whatever she did, why is she in jail? You know, that’s, that’s got to be a question that should be asked at some point. But again, under the previous administration, we’re not going to get that,” Burchett responded. “Dead men tell no tales. He’s dead.”
He reiterated his belief that any incriminating information was likely destroyed by the Biden Administration, adding that Attorney General Bondi may have over-promised. “You know, so I just, I just don’t think, I think they all got out there, got a little excited, and I don’t think they exist. And that’s my current thinking.”
