Nancy Mace Demands CIA Release All Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell Files
South Carolina Republican Representative Nancy Mace has issued a formal demand to the Central Intelligence Agency, calling for the immediate release of all documents pertaining to the late financier Jeffrey Epstein and his associate Ghislaine Maxwell. In a letter addressed to CIA Director John Ratcliffe, Mace emphasised the necessity for congressional oversight and public transparency regarding any potential connections between the intelligence agency and the convicted sex offender.
Formal Request for Comprehensive Disclosure
Mace publicly shared a copy of her correspondence on social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, on Tuesday. The letter explicitly requests access to "any and all records, documents, photos, videos, passports, and other materials" that the CIA might possess concerning Epstein and Maxwell. Mace asserted that Congress must ascertain the nature of any relationship between the CIA and Epstein, regardless of classification status, stating that the American public deserves clear answers about possible intelligence agency links to a notorious child sex trafficker.
The congresswoman referenced a prior Freedom of Information Act request submitted by Epstein's lawyer, Martin Weinberg, in 2011. This request sought records indicating any alleged affiliation between Epstein and the CIA, which were included in recent document releases by the Department of Justice under the Epstein Files Transparency Act. The CIA responded to Weinberg on July 29 of that year, indicating it was "unable to locate any information or records" and could neither confirm nor deny a relationship, citing FOIA exemptions for classified material.
Evidence and Speculation of Intelligence Connections
Mace, who serves on the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, highlighted several pieces of evidence from newly released DOJ files that suggest possible CIA involvement. These include a 2015 email from Epstein to lawyer Kathryn Ruemmler, in which he mentioned a document that "looks like a cia drop." Additionally, Mace pointed to Epstein's historical associations with influential figures, such as former CIA director William Burns, and argued that the CIA's National Resources Division likely had extensive contact with Epstein due to its mission of debriefing high-profile businesspeople and investors who travel internationally.
"At a minimum, the National Resources Division of the CIA would likely have had extensive contact with Epstein over the years, given its focus on debriefing high-level business people and investors who frequently travel abroad, do business with foreign officials, and who have links to restricted areas, which Epstein appeared to have," Mace wrote. She concluded that this implies the CIA should possess a substantial volume of information on Epstein spanning several decades.
Political Context and Broader Implications
One of the enduring mysteries surrounding the Epstein case is whether he ever operated as a covert intelligence agent, a theory fuelled by the latest DOJ disclosures. Mace's demand comes amid her political campaign for governor of South Carolina, where she has yet to receive an endorsement from former President Donald Trump. Her stance on Epstein files has previously strained her relationship with Trump; in 2025, she broke with him by supporting the release of the files against his wishes, aligning with Democrats on a discharge petition. This move also affected other Republican figures, such as Marjorie Taylor Greene, who has since retired from politics.
Mace emphasised that understanding any CIA relationship with Epstein is crucial for congressional oversight and the public interest. "Given this information, we believe it is essential to Congress' oversight responsibilities and in the public interest to understand what relationship, if any, the CIA had with Jeffrey Epstein, and what information, if any, the CIA has about Epstein and his activities," she stated, underscoring the need for accountability and transparency in this high-profile matter.
