A row erupted after FBI Director Kash Patel said that his agents are actively hunting members of a global pedophile network known as “764”.The Indian origin claimed that the network is targeting children as young as eight and forcing them into horrific abuse. However, the claim instead backfired, and people began demanding greater transparency over the still-sealed Jeffrey Epstein documents that have been hidden for years. Although the Justice Department is now waiting to release the files after a sweeping House vote earlier this monthIn an interview with the Epoch Times, Patel said agents are investigating the alleged “network 764”, which he claims coerces very young children into sending explicit images and sometimes compels them to self-harm. He added that “several cases have ended in tragedy, with children driven to take their own lives.”

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The Curious case of Kash Patel and his everchanging stance on epstein files

Patel was confirmed as FBI director in February 2025 after Trump was elected for a second term. During 2022–2023, long before his directorship, Patel urged public release of Epstein-related documents. He called the case “the ultimate proof of elite criminality,” and said that releasing the files was essential to hold powerful people accountable.Upon assuming leadership of the FBI in 2025, he pledged transparency and cooperation with congressional oversight on those files. In May 2025 he promised that “truckloads” of previously undisclosed documents would soon become public, which showed an intent to “open the books.”But by mid-September 2025, his tone had shifted. When pressed about why the names of alleged co-conspirators and full file contents had not been released, he responded: “Do you know how the law works? I’m not going to break the law to satisfy your curiosity.” He added that some material remained withheld due to court orders or legal and privacy constraints.At the same hearing, he said that, based on the files he had reviewed, there was “no credible information” to indicate trafficking beyond Epstein himself. He also admitted he had not personally reviewed every FBI document.Later in 2025, when lawmakers asked about a letter reportedly tying US President Donald Trump to Epstein, Patel said he would open an investigation into the matter.