At a Williamsburg event on human trafficking, Gov. Youngkin said transparency on Epstein files is key, but victims’ protection must come first.
WILLIAMSBURG, Va. — At an event marking World Day Against Trafficking in Persons, Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin reaffirmed his support for transparency regarding the long-sealed Jeffrey Epstein files, while emphasizing the need to protect victims’ identities.
Youngkin spoke Tuesday at the Williamsburg Community Building, where he joined local leaders and advocates to raise awareness about human trafficking and discuss Virginia’s efforts to combat it.
During the event, the governor was asked about growing public calls to release the Epstein files, which are alleged to contain names and information related to the convicted sex offender’s associates. Epstein committed suicide in his jail cell in 2019, awaiting trial on federal charges of sex trafficking. Several of Youngkin’s Republican colleagues have urged the federal government to make the documents public.
Youngkin echoed those sentiments but urged caution.
“I think first of all, the president has said he wants transparency, and I join my colleagues who say we should have transparency here,” Youngkin said. “I think we also have to make sure we’re protecting innocent victims, and that is going to be the judgment of the Justice Department.”
When pressed on whether the files should be released with redacted information, the governor deferred.
“I’m going to let them figure that out,” he said. “But I do believe that transparency is critically important, but we do have to protect innocent victims, and they’ll have to figure out a way to do that.”
Youngkin’s comments come amid renewed scrutiny of the Epstein case following federal efforts to unseal court records and criticism over delayed file releases.
Tuesday’s event also featured local government officials and advocacy groups focused on prevention, recovery services, and legislative measures aimed at curbing human trafficking in Virginia.