Senators Lisa Murkowski and Dan Sullivan joined 49 other Republicans this week in blocking a vote that would have forced the Department of Justice to release its files on convicted child sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
Murkowski was the last senator to cast her vote, making the final tally 51–49 in favor of shelving the amendment. The proposal would have required the DOJ to disclose all Epstein-related documents that lawmakers on both sides of the aisle have said they want released.
Her decision was pivotal. Had Murkowski voted the other way, the motion to table would have deadlocked at 50–50, keeping the amendment alive. Technically, each of the 50 Republicans who voted to block the measure played a decisive role—including Sullivan—but Murkowski’s choice stood out because she waited until the final moment to announce it.
Just a few months ago, in July, Murkowski told CNN that the government should “just deal with the Epstein thing once and for all.” She argued then that a quicker release of information might have prevented the flood of speculation and conspiracy theories surrounding the case.
Recently, her office has been sending form letters to constituents expressing her disgust with the details of Epstein’s crimes and the continued lack of transparency. In those messages, she said she was pressing the Trump administration to “act with integrity and with full disclosure so that the victims can get the support they deserve.” She also noted she was urging senators on the relevant committees to take responsibility for moving the issue forward.
On Wednesday, the Senate had a real chance to deal with the Epstein matter once and for all. Instead, secrecy won. Senator Sullivan was among those who sided with keeping things hidden.
Only two Republicans, Josh Hawley and Rand Paul, voted in favor of the proposal. Every Democratic senator backed it as well.
In the House, Rep. Nick Begich III has refused to sign a petition that would force a vote on releasing the Epstein files. That petition is only one signature away from reaching 218 members, the majority needed to bring the issue forward.
The New York Times summed up the political bind this creates. A vote to release the files would put Republicans in a tough spot. They would have to decide between supporting the voters who want the truth or siding with Trump, who prefers to keep the matter closed.
Senate Republicans defended their decision. They argued that Chuck Schumer’s amendment broke unwritten Senate rules, had no place in the defense bill, and was nothing more than a stunt to embarrass them.
That might be technically true. But it is also true that the man who once sent Epstein a lewd birthday card, joking that they had “certain things in common,” can still rely on loyal senators to protect him. And to help hide his so-called “wonderful secret.”
If that is the case, then let’s see another vote. This time let it follow the rules, be attached to the right bill, and force every senator to say clearly whether they believe the public should know the truth about Epstein and his associates.
When Alaskans wrote to Senator Sullivan, they received a form letter. He avoided addressing the real question of secrecy and instead offered vague assurances. His letter claimed he trusted the Trump administration to release whatever information could be responsibly shared.
“I trust the Department of Justice to carefully consider the release of relevant materials, while simultaneously ensuring that Epstein’s victims remain protected and that legal protocols are upheld,” Sullivan wrote.
His trust in Trump appears limitless.
The letter even claimed Sullivan had recently stated that Trump directed the DOJ and Attorney General Bondi to release grand jury transcripts from the Epstein case. It went on to say that Sullivan believed as much information as possible should be released while protecting victims.
The problem is, Sullivan never actually said that. His spokeswoman, Amanda Coyne, did. Back in July she wrote, “President Trump directed the DOJ and AG Bondi to release grand jury transcripts related to the prosecution of Jeffrey Epstein. Senator Sullivan believes the DOJ should release as much information as possible on Epstein’s horrific crimes, while protecting victims.”
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What Sullivan’s letter also left out was revealing. In February, Bondi admitted she already had an Epstein client list on her desk. And according to Trump’s own court filings, much of the grand jury material is already public. Meanwhile, the DOJ under Bondi continues to hold on to a vast collection of Epstein-related records.
That is why readers should press Sullivan, Murkowski, and Begich III with a direct question. Do they believe Trump is telling the truth about that birthday card he sent to Epstein?
