Jon Husted on the Epstein Files: His Vote to Table Release, Bondi and Blanche Confirmations, and Wexner Donations
Jon Husted voted on September 10, 2025 to table an amendment directing the attorney general to release documents related to Jeffrey Epstein, and the motion carried 51-49. Billionaire Les Wexner, whose former financial adviser was Epstein and who gives heavily in his native Ohio, gave Husted $3,500 in July 2025, less than 10 weeks before that vote, AP reported.
The Ohio senator voted to confirm Pam Bondi as attorney general and Todd Blanche as deputy attorney general, whose Justice Department later released the files with redaction failures that exposed victims' names, according to lawyers for Epstein victims.
Jon Husted's Votes on the Epstein Files and the Justice Department
- Husted Voted to Table the Epstein Files Amendment in September 2025. On September 10, 2025, Jon Husted voted yes on the motion to table Schumer amendment 3849 to the defense bill, which would have directed the attorney general to make the Epstein documents public; the Senate floor log records the tabling at 51-49. AP described the vote as Husted joining most Senate Republicans in defeating a Democratic effort to force release of the Epstein files, and reported that Wexner contributed about $116,000 to support Husted from 2001 to 2025; FactCheck.org put the donations at $116,892 over more than 20 years.
- Husted Voted to Confirm Pam Bondi as Attorney General. On February 4, 2025, Husted voted to confirm Bondi, 54-46. Her department released more than 3 million pages in early 2026 as survivors and lawmakers criticized the disclosure as insufficient and filled with redaction errors.
- Husted Voted to Confirm Todd Blanche as Deputy Attorney General. On March 5, 2025, Husted voted to confirm Blanche, 52-46. Blanche later defended the Justice Department’s release of the Epstein files against those criticisms.
What the Epstein Files Release Under Officials Jon Husted Confirmed Meant for Victims
- Victims' names were exposed in the Justice Department release. Lawyers for Epstein victims asked two federal judges to order the Justice Department's Epstein website taken down, citing widespread failures by the DOJ to redact names and identifying information of victims.
- An Ohio survivor's allegation is part of the files at stake. AP reported that Maria Farmer alleges she was sexually assaulted in 1996 in New Albany, Ohio, where Epstein had a house while working for Wexner.
- Victims' lawyers called the harm irreversible. The lawyers wrote, “For the victims of Jeffrey Epstein, every hour matters. The harm is ongoing and irreversible.”
Frequently Asked Questions Jon Husted on Epstein Files
What is Jon Husted's record on the Epstein files under Trump?
Jon Husted voted on September 10, 2025 to table an amendment ordering release of the Epstein files, which passed 51-49. He voted to confirm Pam Bondi and Todd Blanche, whose Justice Department released the files with redaction failures that victims' lawyers said exposed their clients.
How much money did Jon Husted get from Les Wexner?
Jon Husted received about $116,000 in support from Wexner from 2001 to 2025, including $3,500 in July 2025, AP reported.
Did Jon Husted vote to block the release of the Epstein files?
Jon Husted voted yes on the September 10, 2025 motion to table Sen. Chuck Schumer's amendment directing the attorney general to release the Epstein documents, which killed the amendment.
Last updated: 2026-10-28