Pete Ricketts on the Epstein Files: Vote to Table Release, Low Priority Remarks, and Bondi's Justice Department
Pete Ricketts voted on September 10, 2025 to table, and so kill, Senator Schumer's amendment requiring the Justice Department to release its Epstein files; the motion carried 51 to 49, with only two Republicans voting against it (roll call; NBC News). Two months earlier, the Nebraska senator told reporters the Epstein issue "falls down below" the Senate's priorities (KNEB).
Ricketts voted on February 4, 2025 to confirm Pam Bondi as attorney general (roll call). When her Justice Department released the files in early 2026, lawyers for more than 200 alleged victims reported thousands of redaction failures that exposed survivors' names (ABC News).
After the House voted in November 2025 and the Senate passed the release bill by unanimous consent, Ricketts said "I've long pushed for transparency and the release of the Epstein files" (Ricketts release; Nebraska Examiner).
Pete Ricketts's Votes and Statements on the Epstein Files
- Ricketts Voted to Kill a Measure Forcing Release of the Epstein Files in September 2025. On September 10, 2025, Pete Ricketts voted yes on the motion to table Schumer's amendment to the defense bill directing the attorney general to make Epstein documents public; it was tabled 51 to 49 (roll call). NBC News reported Republicans Rand Paul and Josh Hawley joined all 47 Democrats in opposing the motion (NBC News).
- Ricketts Voted to Confirm Pam Bondi as Attorney General in February 2025. On February 4, 2025, Ricketts voted to confirm Pam Bondi, 54 to 46 (roll call). Survivors and lawmakers criticized her department's 2026 release of more than 3 million pages as insufficient and filled with redaction errors (ABC News).
- Ricketts Claimed He Had Long Pushed for the Files' Release in November 2025. Ricketts said "I've long pushed for transparency and the release of the Epstein files" on November 18, 2025 (Ricketts release). In July 2025 he had told reporters, "We've got so many priorities right now. This actually falls down below those priorities" (KNEB), and on September 10, 2025 he voted to table the Senate measure requiring the files' release (roll call).
What the Justice Department's Epstein Files Release Meant for Survivors
- Victims' names, bank details and addresses were published. Lawyers for alleged Epstein victims said in February 2026 they had reported thousands of redaction failures affecting nearly 100 survivors, including full names of victims who were minors, and asked federal judges to order the Justice Department's Epstein website taken down (ABC News).
Frequently Asked Questions Pete Ricketts on Epstein Files
What is Pete Ricketts's record on the Epstein files under Trump?
Pete Ricketts voted on September 10, 2025 to table an amendment requiring the Justice Department to release the Epstein files, and in July 2025 he said the issue "falls down below" the Senate's priorities (roll call; KNEB). He voted to confirm Attorney General Pam Bondi, whose department's 2026 release exposed survivors' names (roll call; ABC News). In November 2025 he said he had "long pushed" for the files' release (Ricketts release).
Did Pete Ricketts vote against releasing the Epstein files?
Pete Ricketts voted on September 10, 2025 to table Senator Schumer's amendment that would have required the attorney general to release the Epstein files; the motion carried 51 to 49 (roll call; NBC News).
What did Pete Ricketts say about the Epstein files?
Pete Ricketts said in July 2025, "This actually falls down below those priorities," and added, "No, I'm not trying to, you know, dismiss the Jeffrey Epstein case" (KNEB). In November 2025 he said, "Jeffrey Epstein committed disgusting, illegal acts. I support releasing the Epstein files" (Nebraska Examiner).
Last updated: 2026-10-28