Survivors of sexual abuse by Jeffrey Epstein gathered on Capitol Hill to urge U.S. lawmakers to release the sex trafficking investigation into the late financier. They rejected President Donald Trump’s dismissal of the issue as a “hoax” and demanded transparency and accountability from the Trump administration.
During a news conference on the Capitol lawn, attended by hundreds of supporters chanting “release the files,” the survivors, including some who were sharing their stories for the first time, spoke about how they were ensnared in Epstein’s abuse through his ex-girlfriend, Ghislaine Maxwell. They emphasized the need for acknowledgment of the trauma they endured as teenagers.
Ashley Rubright, a self-proclaimed survivor of Epstein and Maxwell, emphasized that the issue transcends party politics and is inherently political. She called out the adult enablers who turned a blind eye to the abuse happening behind closed doors.
The survivors’ plea for the disclosure of the Epstein files coincided with a crucial moment in Washington, where lawmakers were divided on how to address the Epstein scandal. While President Trump had initially indicated support for transparency, he later dismissed the matter as a Democratic ploy, a stance that the survivors and some congressional allies rejected.
Marina Lacerda, an immigrant from Brazil who encountered Epstein at 14, detailed her harrowing experience of being coerced into working for him until she was 17. She highlighted the importance of the survivors’ voices being heard and the release of files related to Epstein to help them piece together their shattered lives.
Despite efforts by Republican leadership to suppress a bill compelling the Justice Department to unveil information on Epstein, some Republicans, including Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, defied party lines to support the survivors’ cause. Greene emphasized the collective fight against sexual predation and the need to bring justice to the survivors who were silenced for too long.
The survivors viewed the current moment as a critical opportunity to seek justice for the wrongs perpetrated by Epstein and his accomplices. They emphasized that justice and accountability are long-overdue obligations that must be fulfilled, marking a turning point in their quest for truth and closure.