House Oversight Chair Alleges Epstein Files Destroyed, Points to Federal Cover-Up

WASHINGTON, D.C. — In a striking revelation, Rep. James Comer (R-KY), Chairman of the House Oversight Committee, has claimed that critical files related to Jeffrey Epstein’s sex-trafficking and blackmail network may have been destroyed, accusing the federal government of potentially orchestrating a cover-up. The allegations, made during a May 6, 2025, interview with conservative commentator Benny Johnson, have reignited public scrutiny over the handling of Epstein-related documents and the government’s transparency in the high-profile case.

Comer, who has been leading efforts to declassify federal records through a task force on federal secrets, expressed deep skepticism about the existence of the Epstein files, stating, “I don’t think the Department of Justice has the files—if they ever did. I believe they’re already destroyed to cover up the deep state.” He further suggested that the government may have been complicit in Epstein’s operations, possibly for intelligence-gathering purposes, a claim that echoes long-standing conspiracy theories about Epstein’s connections to powerful figures. “My concern is that the government may have known a lot more and may have been an active participant,” Comer said, adding that such involvement would be unacceptable to the American public if proven true.

The allegations come amid ongoing frustration with the Department of Justice’s (DOJ) handling of Epstein-related documents. On February 28, 2025, Attorney General Pam Bondi announced the release of “Phase 1” Epstein files, which included contact lists, flight logs, and evidence from the case against Epstein’s associate Ghislaine Maxwell. However, the release was widely criticized for containing little new information, with much of the material already in the public domain. Bondi later accused the FBI’s New York field office of withholding thousands of additional pages, a claim that led to the forced retirement of the office’s head, James Dennehy, on March 3, 2025.

Comer’s latest statements intensify earlier accusations he leveled against the Trump administration, including Bondi’s DOJ, for allegedly stonewalling his task force’s requests for Epstein files. In an April 27, 2025, interview with journalist Sharyl Attkisson, Comer noted that his inquiries had been met with responses like, “We can’t turn that over,” but officials promised future releases. The lack of progress has fueled Comer’s suspicion that the files may no longer exist.

Experts and observers have cautioned that Comer’s claims, while provocative, lack concrete evidence. Julie Brown, a Miami Herald reporter who has extensively covered the Epstein case, told TIME on February 28, 2025, that the notion of a singular “Epstein client list” is unlikely, as much of the relevant evidence is scattered across redacted FBI files and court documents. Brown also suggested that the hype surrounding file releases may serve political motives, such as targeting the Southern District of New York, which previously investigated former President Donald Trump.

The Epstein case remains a lightning rod for public distrust, given the financier’s connections to high-profile figures like Prince Andrew, Bill Clinton, and Trump, as well as his controversial 2008 plea deal that allowed him to avoid federal charges. Epstein died by suicide in 2019 while awaiting trial on federal sex-trafficking charges, and Maxwell was convicted in 2021 for her role in the trafficking ring. The DOJ has stated that ongoing reviews of Epstein files are necessary to protect victims’ identities and Maxwell’s conviction, a process that could take months, according to former federal prosecutor Paul Pelletier.

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