Nancy Mace Presses CIA for Full Disclosure on Epstein and Maxwell

South Carolina Representative Nancy Mace has formally requested the CIA to disclose all documents pertaining to Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell. In a letter addressed to CIA Director John Ratcliffe, Mace emphasized the need for transparency regarding any potential connections between the agency and Epstein, a convicted sex offender.

On Tuesday, Mace shared her correspondence on X (formerly Twitter), stating, “We’re calling on the Central Intelligence Agency to allow us to view any and all records, documents, photos, videos, passports, and other materials they may have in their possession relating to Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell.”

“Congress needs to know what, if any, relationship the CIA had with Jeffrey Epstein and what information they’re sitting on,” she continued. “Classified or not, we want to see it. The American people deserve answers about whether our intelligence agencies had connections to a child sex trafficker.”

Mace’s inquiry references a previous Freedom of Information Act request made by Epstein’s attorney, Martin Weinberg, in 2011. This request sought any records that might indicate Epstein's alleged ties to the CIA, which were included in a recent release of documents by the Department of Justice under the Epstein Files Transparency Act.

In response to Weinberg’s request, the CIA stated on July 29, 2011, that it could not locate any relevant information or records and could neither confirm nor deny any relationship between Epstein and the agency, citing exemptions for classified material.

As a member of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, Mace pointed out other recently released DOJ files that could suggest a connection. Notably, a 2015 email from Epstein to attorney Kathryn Ruemmler mentioned a document he claimed “looks like a CIA drop.”

Mace also highlighted Epstein’s past associations with influential figures, including former CIA director William Burns. “At a minimum, the National Resources Division of the CIA would likely have had extensive contact with Epstein over the years,” she wrote. “Given its focus on debriefing high-level business people and investors who frequently travel abroad, do business with foreign officials, and who have links to restricted areas, which Epstein appeared to have.”

She asserted that this context implies the CIA possesses significant information about Epstein spanning several decades and various issues. “Given this information,” Mace stated, “we believe it is essential to Congress’ oversight responsibilities and in the public interest to understand what relationship, if any, the CIA had with Jeffrey Epstein, and what information, if any, the CIA has about Epstein and his activities.”

The ongoing intrigue surrounding Epstein includes speculation about whether he served as a covert intelligence operative—a theory fueled by recent DOJ document releases. Mace’s stance diverged from that of former President Donald Trump during a tumultuous 2025 for her political career; she sided with Democrats in advocating for the release of Epstein-related files.

This decision to support a discharge petition for file release strained her relationship with the White House and mirrored challenges faced by other dissenting Republicans like Marjorie Taylor Greene, who has since distanced herself from Trump’s political movement.

Currently, Mace is campaigning for governor in South Carolina, awaiting an endorsement from Trump as she navigates her political future amidst these controversies.