Rep. Nancy Mace is calling for clarity and transparency as lawmakers continue reviewing newly released documents related to Jeffrey Epstein, urging the public and her colleagues to distinguish between verified facts and unproven speculation.

In a recent interview, Mace described what she characterized as a troubling process surrounding congressional access to the files. According to Mace, members of Congress were given individualized logins to review documents in a Department of Justice database, and she observed that each file opened was immediately tagged with the member’s name and a timestamp. She said she later saw Attorney General Pam Bondi holding a binder that appeared to list which lawmakers had accessed specific documents.

Mace questioned why such tracking was occurring and whether members had been adequately informed beforehand. She framed the issue as one involving separation of powers, saying lawmakers should have been told clearly how their searches would be monitored. While she acknowledged she could not speak for the DOJ’s reasoning, she said the tracking created discomfort and warranted explanation.

At the same time, Mace emphasized that, in her view, the documents she reviewed do not implicate President Donald Trump in criminal wrongdoing. She said the files “exonerate” him and suggested that if that conclusion had been made clear from the outset, much of the political tension might have been avoided. However, she stressed that the broader issue goes far beyond any one individual.

“This isn’t about Donald Trump,” she said, arguing that the focus should be on why so few people have been held accountable despite what she described as decades of investigative information and thousands of victims. Mace, who has spoken publicly about her own experiences as a survivor of sexual assault, said her priority is ensuring justice for women and children affected by trafficking and abuse.

During the discussion, she addressed a range of claims circulating about the Epstein case, including allegations of torture videos, buried bodies, and other sensational elements. Mace said she did not see evidence supporting many of those claims in the materials she reviewed and cautioned against amplifying conspiracy theories. For example, she noted that an email referencing a “torture video” did not include the video itself in the database accessible to lawmakers, making it impossible to verify its content.

She also cited an instance in which an email referring to a “Brazilian 9-year-old” appeared to be a typo, saying it actually concerned a 19-year-old. Mace said such details underscore the importance of careful review rather than speculation.

Still, she raised concerns about continued redactions in the documents, particularly the names of alleged co-conspirators. According to Mace, the DOJ told lawmakers that some information had already been redacted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York before being provided to the department. She expressed skepticism about that explanation and said she intends to press for fuller disclosure.

Mace described the Epstein operation as a global sex trafficking network that involved individuals across multiple countries. She referenced mutual legal assistance treaties (MLATs), which allow U.S. authorities to cooperate with foreign governments in criminal investigations, suggesting that international coordination played a role in the case.

When asked whether Ghislaine Maxwell should be offered clemency in exchange for further information, Mace responded that the necessary information already exists within government files. She argued that additional testimony from Maxwell would not be required if agencies released the documents in full.

Mace concluded by pledging to continue seeking answers through formal letters and inquiries to the DOJ, the CIA, and other relevant offices. Her message was clear: separate fact from fiction, release the remaining names where legally appropriate, and focus on delivering justice rather than fueling speculation.