When Congress passed the Epstein Files Transparency Act in 2025, its supporters promised something approaching accountability. The bill, championed by Representatives Thomas Massie (R-KY) and Ro Khanna (D-CA), ordered the Department of Justice (DOJ) to release all...

Public discussion of the Epstein files has largely centered on individual misconduct and reputational fallout. That emphasis risks overlooking the more consequential question raised by the Justice Department’s response to the disclosure mandate. The episode is less...