Steve, I'll tell you exactly what is going on:

1. The attorney(s) for these women want the files disclosed to identify potential lawsuit targets. Even if what's in there is total innuendo and hearsay, that doesn't matter. It might be enough to conjure up a civil conspiracy lawsuit against a bunch of wealthy people. Maybe even a civil RICO type lawsuit. They don't need to actually win a trial, they just need to be able to file a lawsuit that survives an initial motion to dismiss and get into the discovery phase. Then even if the targets didn't do anything really actionable the case may have a lot of settlement value just due to the further bad publicity exposure. Look what just happened to Larry Summers and he wasn't even sued. He just asked Epstein for dating advice and he's totally cancelled now.

2. The politicians who are in favor of this want the same as they think they can make political hay out of it in some way. They all had to vote in favor except the one principled lone dissenter Clay Harris, because they're politicians and they don't want to stand up to a tidal wave. It's easier than doing the right thing which would have been to vote against this ridiculous travesty of justice.

3. The key to understanding this strategy is recognizing that Congress can't be sued for defamation nor can the DOJ if acting pursuant to statute in releasing the records. They have absolute immunity in this situation.

4. The second key is to also understand that when you file a lawsuit you have judicial privilege or immunity for anything in your lawsuit which might be defamatory. So that closes the circle.

5. As long as the victims or their attorneys or the politicians don't make any defamatory public statements they have not committed defamation, yet they can use anything in the files to prop up their lawsuit.

6. Please note how none of the victims who have spoken at these recent press conferences have named any names or given any details about their abuse. They have all been well coached by their attorneys not to do so, as it might expose them to defamation lawsuits.

Now that I have explained it to you, you can put your various conspiracy theories to rest. The real conspiracy is the one I've just outlined for you.