'Big mistake': Senate Republican slams Trump’s handling of Epstein files

Friday, December 19 was the U.S. Department of Justice's (DOJ) deadline for compliance with the Epstein Files Transparency Act of 2025, which called for the release of DOJ's "unclassified" files on the late billionaire and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The files were released that day, albeit with heavy redactions that are drawing vehement criticism from Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Kentucky) and many others.

Conservative/libertarian Sen. Rand Paul (R-Kentucky) discussed the release of the Epstein files during a Sunday, December 21 appearance on ABC News' "This Week," arguing that it was a "big mistake" for the Trump DOJ to release them in that way.

Host Jonathan Karl noted that Massie alleges that U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi "is violating the law" and could face prosecution for her handling of the Epstein files, asking Paul for his "reaction" to this "partial release."

Paul told Karl, "I've supported transparency on the Epstein files from the beginning. I've voted repeatedly to release them; I think it's a good idea. I think that trust in government is at a low ebb…. And people tend to believe that some rich people got off Scott-free in this — in the Epstein case, the Epstein files. So, I think it should all be released."

The Kentucky senator continued, "I think it's a big mistake. I mean, look, the (Trump) Administration has struggled for months and months with something they initially ginned up and then sort of tried to tamp down. So, any evidence — or any kind of indication — that there's not a full reveal on this, will just plague them for months and months more So, my suggestion would be: Give up all the information. Release it…. My suggestion to them is: Be transparent and release everything the law requires of you."

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