House members representing Mid-Missouri call for Epstein files release
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
Two congressmen representing Mid-Missouri constituents said Tuesday that the Justice Department should release files related to the investigation and apparent suicide of financier Jeffrey Epstein.
The issue of whether and what to release has caused a rift among conservatives and other backers of President Donald Trump after Attorney General Pam Bondi last week issued a memo saying there was no list of Epstein's clients.
Bondi earlier this year, when asked by Fox News about the list, said she was reviewing the case file. She also gave binders with previously released information about the case to conservative influencers.
"I urge Attorney General Pam Bondi to responsibly release any files in [the Justice Department's] possession, including the underlying evidence that led to the memo stating that a so-called 'client list' does not exist," Rep. Mark Alford (R-Raytown) wrote in a statement posted on social media.
Alford represents Missouri's Fourth Congressional District, which includes parts of Columbia and Boone County.
"We cannot allow this unfortunate sideshow to tarnish the legacy of the greatest president of my lifetime, Donald J. Trump," Alford wrote.
Dr. Bob Onder, a Republican who represents Missouri's Third District, told the Real America's Voice cable news channel that he rarely disagrees with the administration but believes strongly the files should be made public.
"I think this really epitomizes what brought Donald Trump to national prominence and eventually to the presidency, is this idea that 'deep state' insiders control the levers of power," Onder told the network during a panel discussion.
"I think it's very much the question of whether, if you're wealthy enough, powerful enough, well-connected enough, you can get away with anything," Onder said.
Republican Sen. Josh Hawley told Missourinet last week that he was skeptical of the idea that Epstein didn't have a client list.
He called for an "open" and "independent" public review of the case.
Hawley and fellow Sen. Eric Schmitt did not respond to requests from ABC 17 News for comments about the Epstein files on Tuesday.
