Raskin: Not releasing Epstein files 'dangerous to public health and safety'

Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-Md.) on Monday doubled down on his push for the Trump administration to release all of the files and names associated with late financier Jeffrey Epstein's case, saying failing to do so is "dangerous" to the public.

“If there are literally other people on this list who are somehow implicated in these actions, it is dangerous to public health and safety not to release the names publicly,” Raskin said during an appearance on MSNBC’s “Deadline: White House.”

His request comes after Attorney General Pam Bondi released binders earlier this year to conservative influencers called "The Epstein Files: Phase 1." She later signaled more information would be released, as the binders included details that were previously released.

She also suggested during an interview with Fox News in February that a full client list was sitting on her desk for a review. Bondi sought to clarify those comments last week during a Cabinet meeting, saying she was referring to the files — not a list of names.

Criticism of the administration's handling of the case came into full view earlier this month after the Justice Department and FBI issued a joint memo concluding that Epstein committed suicide in his jail cell in 2019 and that there was no evidence pointing to a client list.

Democrats and even some MAGA supporters have lashed out over the memo, urging the administration to release the files in full.

In his comments Monday, Raskin pressed for more transparency.

“If all of it is a concoction and an invention, then I think they need to come clean about that and say they don’t have such a list or it’s made up or what have you," the Maryland Democrat told host Nicolle Wallace. "But I think it’s very dangerous just to leave these things hanging out there."

He also suggested that President Trump is the one who made the decision to withhold files.

“Clearly, it’s Donald Trump who’s making the call here for whatever reason," Raskin said. "He said he was going to release it and now he’s saying there’s nothing to see here and appears to be wanting to sweep the whole thing under the rug."

“And I think that’s an irresponsible way to proceed after having inflamed millions and millions of people in the country and raised all kinds of doubts about our law enforcement commitment to prosecuting child sex abuse,” he added. 

Trump has defended his administration in light of the controversy. During Tuesday's Cabinet meeting the president reprimanded a reporter who asked questions around the Epstein files and on Saturday, he said Bondi was doing a "fantastic job."

The Hill reached out to the White House for comment.