Former US Vice President Kamala Harris has said that Joe Biden knowingly paid a political price by refusing to interfere in the release of files linked to disgraced sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Speaking on Jimmy Kimmel Live, Harris explained that the Biden administration chose legal integrity over political gain, even though the decision damaged its public image.
Her remarks come as the US prepares for a possible release of Epstein-related documents under new legislation, reigniting debate over transparency, accountability, and political influence on the justice system.
Why Biden Didn’t Push for Epstein Files Release?
Kamala Harris admitted that many Americans expected the Biden administration to push harder for the release of Epstein files. She said the administration resisted that pressure to protect the independence of the Department of Justice.
“To give you an answer that will not satisfy your curiosity, we – perhaps to our damage – but we strongly, and rightly, believed that there should be an absolute separation between what we wanted as an administration and what the Department of Justice did,” said Kamla Harris.
She said Biden did not want to influence prosecutors for political benefit. According to Harris, the administration believed crossing that line would weaken democratic institutions.
Harris Compares Biden and Trump on DOJ Independence
During the interview, Kimmel asked Harris whether she believed Donald Trump would release the Epstein files if elected. Harris said Trump made the Epstein files a campaign issue and must now face public expectations. However, she accused Trump of using the Department of Justice as a political tool, something she said the Biden administration never did.
“What he has done to treat the Department of Justice as his personal law firm is criminal in proportion to what it’s supposed to be, and that it’s supposed to be an independent body that does justice, blindfolded in terms of for whom but for the country they’re supposed to operate without favour or fear,” Harris replied.
Will Donald Trump Release the Epstein Files? 68 Photos Released
The debate over the release of the Epstein files has intensified after House Democrats made public 68 photographs linked to the case. The move has added political pressure on former President Donald Trump, who had earlier pledged greater transparency on the matter during his campaign.
While the Epstein Files Transparency Act sets a deadline for the release of records, the decision ultimately rests within the legal framework governing the Department of Justice.
Kamala Harris said she remains uncertain whether Trump would follow through on his promise, stressing that political pressure should not interfere with the independence of federal investigations.
Epstein Files Transparency Act Explained
The debate has intensified ahead of a legal deadline tied to the Epstein Files Transparency Act. The bill passed with overwhelming bipartisan support, 427–1.
Under the law, the US government is required to release Epstein-related documents by Friday, December 19. Authorities may only redact information that reveals victim identities or interferes with ongoing investigations.
The upcoming deadline has raised expectations among the public and survivors who have long demanded transparency.
Political Cost vs Institutional Integrity
Harris acknowledged that Biden’s stance may have hurt his administration politically. However, she framed the decision as a deliberate choice to protect democratic norms.
She suggested that short-term political losses mattered less than preserving the independence of federal law enforcement. Her comments reflect a broader debate over whether transparency should override legal caution in high-profile cases.
As the deadline approaches, all eyes remain on Washington to see whether the promised disclosures will finally bring clarity to one of the most controversial scandals in modern US history.