The FBI’s release of a Vaughn Index on March 10, 2025, detailing withheld documents tied to Seth Rich’s case, has ignited fury rather than shed light. This list—offered in response to a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request by Texas attorney Ty Clevenger—catalogs items like emails, rental applications, and work files from Rich’s personal and professional laptops. But where are the actual documents? The public isn’t getting them, and that’s simply not enough.
The FBI’s release of a Vaughn Index on March 10, 2025, detailing withheld documents tied to Seth Rich’s case, has ignited fury rather than shed light. This list—offered in response to a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request by Texas attorney Ty Clevenger—catalogs items like emails, rental applications, and work files from Rich’s personal and professional laptops. But where are the actual documents? The public isn’t getting them, and that’s simply not enough.
The withheld documents aren’t trivial. The Vaughn Index hints at their scope—customer service emails, polling location data, work-related files—but without the full records, we’re left guessing. What could they reveal about Seth Rich, a Democratic National Committee staffer whose death has spawned endless questions and conspiracy theories? Some suspect political bombshells; others demand closure for a grieving family. Whatever the truth, a list doesn’t cut it. We need the raw data to judge for ourselves.
The FBI’s excuses don’t hold water. If there’s no active federal investigation, why claim these records could disrupt one? And if privacy is the issue, redact what’s necessary and release the rest—standard practice in FOIA cases. Instead, we get a sanitized index that raises more questions than it answers. This isn’t transparency; it’s a slap in the face to anyone who values accountability.
This case has festered in the public eye for nearly a decade, tangled in speculation and distrust. The FBI’s latest maneuver only pours fuel on the fire. By dangling a list instead of delivering the goods, they’re not just withholding documents—they’re eroding faith in institutions already on shaky ground. The public isn’t asking for a summary; we’re demanding the unfiltered truth.
Enough with the games. The FBI must release Seth Rich’s records in full—no more delays, no more half-measures. If there’s nothing to hide, prove it. Until those documents hit the light of day, the outrage will grow, the suspicions will deepen, and the call for transparency will only get louder. We deserve the real thing—not a list, not excuses, but the actual records. Anything less is an insult.
