Warning: This story discusses rape and pedophilia related to the Epstein files and is suited for older high school classes.
NOTE: If you are short on time, watch the video and complete this See, Think, Wonder activity: What did you notice? What did the story make you think about? What would you want to learn more about?
SUMMARY
Questions continue to emerge over the Department of Justice’s handling of the Jeffrey Epstein files. One Democratic Congressman went to the House floor to read the names of six "wealthy, powerful men" whose identities were shielded in the public release. Rep. Ro Khanna co-sponsored the Epstein Transparency Act and reviewed some of the unredacted files. He joined Geoff Bennett to discuss more.
View the transcript of the story.
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WARM-UP QUESTIONS
- Who is Rep. Ro Khanna, and what is his background?
- When did Khanna , Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky. and other lawmakers go to the Justice Department to view the unredacted Epstein files (information that has not been covered, blocked out or removed)?
- What did Khanna find in the unredacted files he saw this week?
- Why does Khanna consider the Epstein files one of the greatest cover-ups in history?
- How does not holding those accountable send a message to working class people that there are two tiers (levels) of justice, according to Khanna?
ESSENTIAL QUESTIONS
- Why do you think the Department of Justice has not prosecuted any individuals in the Epstein files who have been accused of heinous crimes?
- What do you think it means to the survivors that lawmakers like Rep. Khanna and Rep. Massie have been consistent about pushing for a DOJ investigation?
- How significant do you think it is that the people Khanna named are "elite, powerful men" and are still in high-up positions of government, finance, real estate and tech? Do you think rich and powerful people get away with more than working-class people?
Media literacy: Why do you think Rep. Khanna thought Geoff Bennett's last question was "profound"? What questions would you have asked Khanna?
WHAT STUDENTS CAN DO
- Learn more about what the bipartisan Epstein Transparency Act required when the House passed it on Nov. 18, 2025, followed by the Senate the next day. Read the act here. It was two lawmakers from different political parties who joined together to push for passage of the bill, Rep. Ro Khanna, D-Calif. and Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky. Although all of the files were supposed to have been released within 30 days of the act being signed into law, so far 3.5 million have been. There are another 3 million being withheld, according to the DOJ.
- WATCH: 'You are responsible,' GOP Rep. Massie tells Bondi on Epstein files: Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., told Attorney General Pam Bondi in a House oversight hearing Wednesday (Feb. 11, 2026) that she is responsible for a portion of what he calls a coverup of the investigation into the late disgraced financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
- WATCH: Rep. Jayapal asks Bondi to apologize in person to Epstein survivors: Rep. Pramila Jayapal, D-Wash., asked Attorney General Pam Bondi in an oversight hearing Wednesday (Feb. 11, 2026) to apologize to the survivors of Jeffrey Epstein's abuse, which was followed by a heated exchange.
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