Bernice King demands Trump release Epstein files

In the United States, Bernice King, the daughter of civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr., called on former President Donald Trump to unseal the Jeffrey Epstein files after a significant release of documents related to her father's 1968 assassination. On Monday, July 20, 2025, the Trump administration disclosed over 230,000 pages linked to Martin Luther King Jr.'s murder, coinciding with mounting criticism aimed at Trump regarding his handling of Epstein-related material. Bernice King expressed her request via social media, asserting the importance of transparency and accountability regarding the Epstein case, especially in light of a recent investigation. In her statement, King acknowledged the profound impact of her father's assassination on her family and encouraged the public to engage with the released files thoughtfully. She, alongside her brother, Martin Luther King III, remarked on the emotional weight of the documents concerning their father's legacy. The release was part of a broader initiative initiated by Trump to address historical injustices tied to high-profile assassinations, including John F. Kennedy and Robert F. Kennedy. The files were unsealed under a directive from the White House, which intended to demonstrate a commitment to transparency. The timing of the document release sparked various criticisms, with figures such as civil rights activist Rev. Al Sharpton arguing that it served primarily as a distraction from the ongoing scrutiny surrounding Trump and the Epstein scandal. The controversy over Epstein, a financier who faced multiple charges related to sex trafficking before his death, remains a sensitive and divisive issue within American society. Trump's administration has faced backlash from his supporters for not adequately addressing the Epstein files, and many are questioning the sincerity of his transparency claims. The combination of these events reveals a complex intersection of personal grief, political maneuvering, and the public's demand for accountability in cases of systemic injustice. Through this landscape, Bernice King's plea emphasizes the need for openness regarding figures like Epstein, as part of a broader narrative of seeking historical truth and justice.