A new Reuters/Ipsos poll suggests that a strong majority of Americans believe the files connected to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein reinforce a troubling perception: that wealthy and powerful figures in the United States are rarely held accountable for their actions.
According to the survey, released Wednesday, 69 percent of respondents said their views were captured “very well” or “extremely well” by the statement that the Epstein files “show that powerful people in the U.S. are rarely held accountable for their actions.” Another 17 percent said the statement reflects their views “somewhat well,” while 11 percent said it does not align with their perspective.
The belief appears to span party lines. The poll found that 89 percent of Democrats and 86 percent of Republicans strongly or somewhat agree that the rich and powerful are not held to account. The bipartisan consensus underscores the lingering public distrust surrounding the Epstein case and the broader questions it has raised about elite influence.
The survey also found that 53 percent of respondents “strongly agree” that the release of the files has lowered their trust in political and business leaders, while 24 percent “somewhat agree.” Among Democrats, 71 percent strongly agree their trust has declined, with 17 percent somewhat agreeing. Among Republicans, 33 percent strongly agree and 35 percent somewhat agree.
The Department of Justice last month released what it described as its final tranche of Epstein-related materials, totaling approximately 3 million emails, photos, documents and other records. However, the documents included numerous redactions, which officials said were required by law to protect the identities of victims, survivors and individuals under criminal investigation.
The extent of the redactions has drawn scrutiny on Capitol Hill. Lawmakers from both parties have urged the DOJ to reconsider certain blacked-out sections after arguing that some appear to be “unnecessary.” Calls for greater transparency have intensified in the wake of the document release.
“Release the full files,” Rep. Ro Khanna, D-Calif., wrote Saturday on the social platform X. Khanna is a co-sponsor of the Epstein Files Transparency Act. “Stop protecting predators. Redact only the survivors’ names.”
Critics have accused the Trump administration of lacking transparency in its handling of the Epstein files and the broader investigation into his crimes. Justice Department officials have pushed back on those claims. Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche said Friday that some lawmakers are effectively pressuring the department to unmask “completely random people” who have no connection to Epstein’s criminal conduct.
The back-and-forth highlights the tension between demands for full public disclosure and the legal obligation to protect victims and individuals not charged with wrongdoing.
The Reuters/Ipsos poll was conducted from Feb. 13 to Feb. 16 and surveyed 1,117 respondents. The margin of error is 3 percentage points.
As the debate continues, the survey results reflect a widespread belief that the Epstein case symbolizes deeper concerns about accountability among America’s elite — concerns that cross political lines and continue to fuel calls for transparency.
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