Stephen A. Smith Questions Democrats on Epstein Files During Biden Era

SiriusXM host Stephen A. Smith has openly criticized the Democratic Party for its handling of the Jeffrey Epstein files, questioning why the party did not advocate for their release during the administration of President Joe Biden. On his show, “Straight Shooter with Stephen A.,” which aired on September 6, 2023, Smith expressed his frustration over what he perceives as a shift in priorities concerning the Epstein documents following the return of Donald Trump to the political spotlight.

A discharge petition aimed at forcing a vote in the House of Representatives on the Epstein files met the necessary threshold for action on the same day Smith aired his comments. This occurred after Arizona Representative Adelita Grijalva was sworn in as the newest member of Congress and added her signature to the petition.

Smith asserted that the Epstein files, which contain sensitive information regarding the deceased financier, were available during Biden’s tenure. “Ladies and gentlemen, keep in mind that the Epstein files were in existence and free to have been opened during the Biden administration! You were there for four years!” he exclaimed. He emphasized that if the documents were deemed crucial now, they should have been released when the Democrats had the opportunity.

He further questioned the motives of the Democratic Party, suggesting that if the files contained damaging information about Trump, the party would have likely sought to expose it to hinder his chances of reelection. “That’s just my thinking from a logical perspective,” Smith stated, adding, “But what do I know!?”

Later in the broadcast, Smith referenced information provided by his producers concerning the potential legal complexities surrounding the release of the Epstein files. He noted that the Department of Justice (DOJ) did not disclose the full files primarily due to restrictions imposed by federal law, specifically Federal Rule of Criminal Procedure 6E. This rule maintains the confidentiality of grand jury materials to protect witnesses, informants, and the integrity of ongoing investigations.

On the following day, Pennsylvania Senator John Fetterman echoed Smith’s concerns during an appearance on “Morning Joe,” stating, “[O]ne of my questions is like … we sat on those for four years, too. So, I mean, I don’t really understand, you know, either. I mean, there are a lot of questions.”

In a related development, the House Oversight Committee released thousands of subpoenaed records regarding Epstein on September 2, 2023, documents obtained through investigations led by Trump’s DOJ. This release has reignited discussions about the handling of Epstein-related information and the political implications surrounding it.

The ongoing dialogue regarding the Epstein files underscores the complexities of political accountability and the scrutiny faced by elected officials. As the situation unfolds, many will be watching how both parties respond to questions surrounding transparency and their handling of sensitive information.