Epstein Issue Fades From Campaign Trail, Lawyers Warn

Lawyers for Jeffrey Epstein's survivors say public attention on the case is fading from the midterm campaign trail, a shift several political analysts describe as a pause rather than an end. Spencer Kuvin, an attorney at Goldlaw who has represented multiple survivors, said his concern is not that Americans will forget but that officials will use world events as cover to move on. "Justice should not have an expiration date, and it certainly should not be dictated by the news cycle," he said.

Kuvin wants the government to continue releasing Epstein files, which advocates say contain gaps from earlier disclosures, and has called on Congress to act. Jennifer Freeman of Marsh Law, who represents survivors in litigation, called the diverted attention disappointing over the past year but said she expects the case to draw focus again. Freeman is pursuing a lawsuit against the US government over alleged negligence in failing to investigate and prosecute Epstein for decades, and is litigating a class action against his estate over his collection and production of child sex abuse images.

Political analysts point to concrete obstacles. Congress is in recess, which means there is no floor discussion of the Epstein Files Transparency Act II. The bill would address what advocates call shortfalls in current law, including the lack of enforcement mechanisms. Shawn Donahue, a clinical associate professor of political science at the University at Buffalo, said the topic will return when lawmakers come back to Washington, especially if Democrats win one or both chambers. If Democrats take the House, as polls project, he expects them to begin investigating from day one.

Brittany Martinez, a Republican strategist and acting director of Principles First, said voters can care about several issues but what shapes their daily lives takes priority. Gas prices and living costs can push Epstein out of immediate conversation, she said, adding she expects to hear about it "for stretches, rather than see it disappear altogether." Julie Roginsky, co-founder of the non-profit Lift Our Voices, said Epstein remains part of why President Trump's approval numbers sit at record lows, and that some Republicans broke with him on the issue.

Democratic lawmakers said they will keep raising it. Representative Teresa Leger Fernández of New Mexico said voters weigh their finances but will remember that the president was Epstein's friend. Representative Ayanna Pressley of Massachusetts said demands for accountability would continue "no matter how much they try to flood the zone." Pressley, Leger Fernández and Representative Deborah Ross recently introduced legislation addressing survivors' financial burdens. Senator Ben Ray Luján of New Mexico said he would push for full release of the files.

The White House said Trump has been totally exonerated on anything relating to Epstein. Spokeswoman Lauren Bis cited the release of thousands of pages of documents, cooperation with the House Oversight Committee's subpoena request and signing of the Epstein Files Transparency Act. She said Trump has done more for victims than anyone before him and claimed several Democrats have yet to explain why they sought money and meetings from Epstein after his conviction as a sex offender.

The Department of Justice said it has met disclosure requirements under the original law. It also rejected claims by New Mexico Attorney General Raúl Torrez that it had not assisted the state's investigation, saying the law and protective orders in the Southern District of New York do not permit disclosure of victim-identifying information "carte blanche." The department said it remains available to assist New Mexico within the law and binding court orders.

Attorneys for survivors continue to press in court. Freeman is pursuing both the government lawsuit over decades of alleged investigative failures and the estate class action over the images.