Power, Privilege, and Patel
A Deep Dive Into Kash Patel & the Epstein Files
In a time when many people are losing trust in the government and demanding honesty, the reappearance of the Jeffrey Epstein files in 2025 has sparked a wave of anger…and for good reason. The files, which allegedly contain damning evidence of elite complicity in Epstein’s sex trafficking network, have been the subject of intense speculation and cover-up for years. But this time, the scandal has a new face: Kash Patel, the current FBI Director and currently one of the most prominent South Asian figures in the federal government.
Patel, who was once a national security aide under Trump and now serves as Director of the FBI, has found himself at the center of a growing controversy over the suppression of Epstein-related documents.
So how did this start?
In February 2025, newly appointed Attorney General Pam Bondi made headlines when she released a limited batch of Epstein files to conservative media outlets. The release was heavily publicized by the White House, but the documents turned out to be mostly redacted and already publicly available. Bondi claimed this was just the beginning, stating that the FBI was still reviewing “tens of thousands” of videos and documents that had yet to be released. She assured the public that the full truth would come out.
Weeks later, Bondi appeared on Fox News again, this time claiming that a whistleblower had informed her that the FBI’s New York field office was sitting on thousands of pages of unreleased documents. She said she had been “assured” by FBI leadership that more files would be released and that the public would eventually see the full extent of Epstein’s network. But behind the scenes, tensions were escalating. Bondi later claimed that the FBI had withheld key information from her office, including an internal memo that concluded there was no incriminating “client list” and reaffirmed the official narrative that Epstein died by suicide.
This memo was released without signatures and contradicted Bondi’s earlier public statements. It appeared to be an attempt by the FBI and DOJ to close the book on the Epstein case without addressing the public’s demand for accountability. The fact that this memo was not shared with Bondi until after her public statements raised serious questions about internal communication and transparency within the federal government.
Patel has been accused of playing a central role in this whole situation. Despite his past as a vocal advocate for Epstein file transparency during the Trump years, his leadership now appears to be defined by delay and denial. Despite public pressure, Patel told Fox News that the government was in “no rush” to release more information, citing the need for a “reliable format.” This vague justification has been widely criticized as a stalling tactic. Meanwhile, survivors and advocates continue to demand answers. The files reportedly include flight logs, contact lists, and even video evidence, all of which are materials that could expose the full extent of Epstein’s network and the powerful individuals who enabled it.
What is Congress doing about it?
The situation escalated when Senator Adam Schiff called for both Bondi and Patel to testify before Congress. According to reports, both officials had warned former President Trump that his name appeared in the Epstein files, but Trump publicly denies any such briefing. Schiff accused Patel of participating in a cover-up, stating bluntly: “Time to end the Trump/Epstein cover-up. Release the files.”
Let’s be clear: this is not just about one man or one scandal. It’s about how institutions protect the powerful while failing survivors. And it’s about how individuals like Patel are instead complicit in shielding elites from accountability.
Meanwhile, in Congress, a small but vocal group of lawmakers is fighting to force the release of the Epstein files. Rep. Ro Khanna (D-CA) has emerged as a leading voice in this effort. Khanna has pushed back on claims that Democrats only recently became interested in the case, pointing out that he and others have been calling for transparency since 2019. He cited the late Rep. Elijah Cummings’ early investigation into Epstein and emphasized that the demand for justice has been consistent, even if the political stakes have changed.
Khanna is now co-sponsoring legislation with Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY) that would compel the Department of Justice to release all Epstein-related records.
Other Democrats, like Rep. Marc Veasey (D-TX), have introduced resolutions demanding the Trump administration release the files. These efforts may be long shots, but they serve a critical purpose of exposing the hypocrisy of those who claim to champion justice while protecting the powerful behind closed doors.
Final Thoughts
It’s also worth reflecting on the broader pattern. While Tulsi Gabbard, the current director of national intelligence and aa Hindu-American political figure, has not been directly implicated in the Epstein case, her political trajectory is instructive. Once a rising star in the Democratic Party, Gabbard has embraced a populist, anti-establishment persona that aligns with far-right narratives. Her rhetoric around “deep state” conspiracies and selective outrage over government secrecy mirrors the kind of deflection we’re seeing from Patel and others in power.
This is why we must be vigilant. Our identities do not exempt us from critique. In fact, they demand a higher standard. South Asians are often seen as a “model minority” when it comes to various career paths in the U.S. However, Patel and Gabbard are examples of representation that does not reflect the values, struggles, or aspirations of the broader diaspora. Instead of uplifting our communities, their actions reinforce harmful stereotypes and align with political forces that have historically marginalized immigrants and people of color. This kind of representation sets us back, making it harder for our communities to build trust, solidarity, and belonging within the broader American fabric.
When South Asians ascend to positions of influence, we must ask: Whose interests are they serving? Are they dismantling systems of oppression or reinforcing them under being considered “diversity”? The Epstein files are more than just a scandal. They reveal the deep flaws within our institutions and the moral compromises made by those who rise to power. For young South Asians who care about justice, this is not a moment to stay silent. We must demand the full release of the files. We must hold Kash Patel accountable for his role in obstructing the truth. And we must continue to push for leaders who act with integrity and put the public interest above personal or political gain.