Sen. Thom Tillis sounds off on Epstein case debate: ‘Release the damn files.’
Sen. Thom Tillis on Wednesday said he supports the release of files about the late financier and sex offender Jeffrey Epstein that has divided President Donald Trump from many of his supporters.
Tillis spoke to McClatchy about the ongoing nationwide debate calling for greater transparency in the case. The Epstein files have created a unique union between Democrats and some of Trump’s far-right supporters who are demanding that Trump live up to his campaign promise to release the files.
Tillis also spoke about the case earlier Wednesday in a radio interview on WBT in Charlotte.
“There’s one of two reasons why you wouldn’t release the files,” Tillis told McClatchy. “Number one, you can redact, so don’t talk about protecting innocent victims. So there’s only one of two other reasons why you wouldn’t want to release it, is you’re embarrassed because you overplayed what was in it or what is in it is problematic.”
Neither one of them is a good enough reason, Tillis said.
Trump and his team campaigned on the promise they would release the Epstein files when he became president in his second term.
Epstein, previously convicted of sex crimes, died in prison while facing additional charges for sex trafficking minors. Trump helped popularize conspiracy theories surrounding Epstein’s death and that he kept a client list to blackmail high-profile people.
In February, Attorney General Pam Bondi said on Fox News that an Epstein “client list” was sitting on her desk for review. But last week, the Department of Justice and the FBI announced the client list doesn’t exist and that further files would not be released. Trump supporters became livid and accused the president and his administration of being part of a cover-up.
“Release the damn files,” Tillis told WBT on Wednesday morning. “This could be over in an instant.”
Why Tillis says Epstein files should be released
Tillis was more measured when speaking to McClatchy Wednesday afternoon as he made his way from the Senate chamber to talk with people in the Senate gallery. He was preparing for a long night of votes on an unrelated bill.
Tillis told McClatchy he assumes the files are not being released because there isn’t a lot of new information. But he added that what Epstein did “was horrible.”
“I mean the systematic trafficking of young girls is just, I don’t think it’s the least bit boring,” Tillis said. “I think it’s critically important, so I tend to think it’s more ... I’m not saying there isn’t a list out there, but I’m kind of erring on that it’s not as sensational as they thought it was. So they’re a little bit embarrassed.”
And he reiterated that’s not a legitimate enough reason to withhold it.
Rep. Virginia Foxx, a Republican from Banner Elk, also found herself fielding questions about releasing the files Monday night while holding the House Committee on Rules hearing.
Democrats put forward an amendment to a bill on cryptocurrency to bring to the House floor a motion to release the Epstein files. Republicans were able to quash the amendment.
However, the next day, House Democrats tried to force debate on releasing the files. All Republicans voted to stop that from moving forward.
But now, Rep. Thomas Massie, a Republican from Kentucky, is working on a discharge petition to bring a vote to the floor for the files’ release. The New York Times reported Wednesday afternoon he already gained six Republicans signatures. He needs 218 signatures from the entire body to force a vote.
This story was originally published July 16, 2025 at 6:48 PM with the headline "Sen. Thom Tillis sounds off on Epstein case debate: ‘Release the damn files.’."