Oklahoma Senator Mark Wayne Mullin (R) spoke out against a Democratic proposal on Thursday that would compel the Department of Justice to make public all documents regarding convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
During a lunchtime address, Arizona Senator Reuben Gallego (D) urged General Pam Bondy for the second time in a week to release these files.
Yet, Mullin, who had previously blocked the resolution, dismissed Gallego’s insistence as mere “political theatre,” reiterating his opposition.
He emphasized that while Republicans seek “transparency” surrounding Epstein’s alleged sex trafficking activities, Congress should not dictate to the Department of Justice regarding the release of sensitive files.
“We want answers, and Americans deserve to know what transpired. But this approach crosses a line regarding the separation of powers,” Mullin stated. “Dictating operations to the Department of Justice infringes upon that separation.”
“As the legislative branch, our role is to create laws. We can’t instruct other branches on how they should conduct their business,” he added.
Mullin proposed an alternative resolution that requests a federal judge to allow the release of a grand jury document pertaining to Epstein’s criminal case.
Judge Robin Rosenberg turned down the Justice Department’s request to keep the grand jury transcripts sealed, stating that the justifications provided by the Trump administration were based on public interest and did not meet the criteria for ongoing proceedings.
Mullin argued that judges have the authority to disclose further information about Epstein and encouraged Gallego to support his resolution.
Instead, Gallego suggested merging their proposals to ask both the Department of Justice and the Judicial Department to release documents that could clarify Epstein’s activities.
Democrats from Arizona attempted to pressure Mullin to accept this revised proposal, implying that opposing it was an attempt to “shield powerful elites.”
Nevertheless, Mullin resisted the combined approach, foregrounding that Democratic colleagues had echoed similar sentiments after the Biden administration had failed to release the Epstein files.
“Let’s be straightforward. These files have been around for ages. I can’t recall the Biden administration ever calling for their release, nor do I remember my Arizona colleague making that request,” he remarked.
