A group of Jeffrey Epstein survivors took to Capitol Hill on Wednesday, September 3, 2025, to press for the release of all files related to the convicted sex offender, urging Congress and the public to confront the aftermath of systemic failures.
Epstein Survivor´s Demand Justice on Capitol Hill
At the heart of the press conference was a powerful statement from survivor Marina Lacerda, previously identified as “Minor‑Victim 1” in Epstein’s 2019 indictment. Lacerda, who said,
“This is not a hoax. It’s not going to go away,”
appealed for transparency and justice, acknowledging the long-term impact on herself and countless others.
Lacerda recalled being groomed and abused by Epstein starting at age 14, and described years of exploitation and manipulation. Her testimony underscores the critical need for accountability and public awareness of the justice system’s handling of the Epstein case.
Another survivor, choosing to speak with stark honesty, took her testimony even further.
“The truth is Epstein had a free pass,” she told Congress. “He bragged about his powerful friends—including our current president, Trump. What I endured will haunt me forever. I live every day with PTSD.”
Her words drew a heavy silence and underscored the urgent need for accountability beyond Epstein himself.
This public demonstration aligns with a bipartisan legislative effort led by Representatives Ro Khanna (D‑CA) and Thomas Massie (R‑KY). The lawmakers are pushing a “Epstein Files Transparency Act,” and have initiated a discharge petition to force a House vote compelling the Justice Department to release all relevant documents—excluding victim identities—for public scrutiny.
On September 2, the House Oversight Committee, chaired by Rep. James Comer (R‑KY), made public 33,000 pages of Epstein-related records. However, critics quickly pointed out that nearly all of these documents were already available in the public domain—raising concerns about whether the release represented substantive progress toward full transparency.
Survivors like Lisa Phillips publicly challenged the lack of accountability surrounding Epstein’s network, suggesting that more individuals were aware of—or complicit in—his crimes than previously acknowledged. The emotional weight of the survivors’ narratives has even caused visible reactions among lawmakers. Notably, GOP Representative Nancy Mace left a closed-door session in distress, describing her response to the testimonies as a “full blown panic attack.”
The women also made it clear that if lawmakers and the Justice Department do not act, they will. Several survivors vowed to release the files themselves if Congress continues to stall. “If they don’t give us the truth, we will bring it to light on our own,” one declared, a promise that instantly raised the stakes of the hearing.
As Congress reconvenes amid this pressure, the fight for the Epstein files remains a litmus test for governmental transparency and commitment to survivors. With bipartisan support nearing the threshold for a discharge petition vote—and survivors’ courageous visibility amplifying the cause—the push for full accountability continues to gain momentum.
