Senator Roger Marshall Faces Scrutiny Over Epstein Files and Donations

Kansas Senator’s Controversial Stance on Epstein Files

Sen. Roger Marshall of Kansas is under scrutiny for his initial opposition to releasing the Department of Justice’s investigation files related to Jeffrey Epstein, the infamous sex offender who died by suicide in a Manhattan jail in 2019. Epstein, arrested on federal sex trafficking charges, had connections with numerous influential figures, including former President Donald Trump.

As Marshall campaigns for a second term, he faces a surprisingly tight race against Democratic pastor Adam Hamilton. Polls from earlier this year show Marshall with a narrow four-point lead.

In 2025, Marshall voted to shelve a bipartisan amendment to a defense bill that aimed to make the Justice Department’s files public. This amendment ultimately failed. Former Attorney General Pam Bondi initially advocated for the files’ release but later reversed her position, allegedly due to pressure from Trump.

Marshall criticized the amendment, dismissing it as a “political stunt,” and expressed disinterest in the file release, labeling efforts to disclose them as part of a Democratic “psychosis.”

Despite these actions, the House passed a standalone bill in November 2025, mandating the files’ release, which the Senate later approved unanimously. Marshall did not oppose this bill’s enactment, aligning with public opinion that largely favored transparency.

Financial records reveal Marshall received donations from two associates of Epstein last year: $17,500 from Blackrock CEO Stephen A. Schwarzman and $8,500 from Blackrock executive Joseph Baratta. Schwarzman and Baratta are mentioned in the files 23 and 2 times, respectively. Notably, appearing in the files does not imply criminal involvement.

Marshall also accepted contributions in 2020 from individuals linked to the files, including $500 from lawyer Greg Ezring, mentioned 35 times, and $11,400 from Bryant Park Capital CEO Joel Magerman, mentioned three times.

Marshall’s handling of the Epstein files has reignited criticism of his previous legislative decisions affecting sexual assault survivors. In 2019, he voted against an amendment to the Violence Against Women Act, which sought to fund training for college personnel on interviewing sexual assault victims, and later opposed the act’s reauthorization.

He also missed a vote on restricting Export-Import Bank transactions involving individuals sanctioned for human rights violations, including sex trafficking.

Additionally, Marshall supported cabinet confirmations for individuals with sexual assault allegations, such as Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. He also voted to confirm Todd Blanche as Attorney General, despite Epstein survivors’ requests for opposition.