Justice Department Issues Initial Documents
The US Justice Department released thousands of files related to Jeffrey Epstein on Friday, marking a long-anticipated disclosure in the investigation of the late financier convicted of sex crimes. Many of the files feature former President Bill Clinton, while the department withheld significant portions, prompting criticism from Democrats and transparency advocates who argued the release fell far short of legal and public expectations. The partial release includes photographs, call logs, court records, and other documents, many heavily redacted, and the Justice Department said it will continue to publish additional files in the coming weeks.
The files follow months of political pressure on President Donald Trump, who had previously resisted making the documents public despite Epstein’s known ties to powerful figures. Trump, a former friend of Epstein, has never faced accusations related to the crimes but argued the files contained nothing new of significance. On 19 November, yielding to pressure from Republican colleagues, Trump signed legislation mandating that the Justice Department release most files within 30 days. Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche previously told Fox News he expected several hundred thousand documents to go public immediately, with additional records released over time. However, only a fraction appeared online on Friday, and Blanche acknowledged to Congress that production remained incomplete.
Contents Highlight High-Profile Figures
Among the initial release, the Justice Department disclosed roughly 4,000 files under a subsection labelled “DOJ Disclosures,” most of them photographs taken by FBI agents during searches of Epstein’s New York City and US Virgin Islands properties. The release also included images of envelopes, folders, and boxes containing investigative materials, alongside court documents, public records, and disclosures to House committees. Many documents remain blacked out, and materials identifying victims or depicting abuse were withheld from public view. Critics argue the redactions obscure important context and diminish the potential for accountability.
Several photographs depict former President Bill Clinton, who has acknowledged flying on Epstein’s private jet but has denied knowledge of his crimes through a spokesperson. The images include Clinton on a private plane beside a woman with her face obscured, in a swimming pool with Ghislaine Maxwell, and with figures such as Michael Jackson and Diana Ross. One photo shows him in a hot tub with a partially obscured woman. The Justice Department did not clarify how these photos relate to ongoing investigations. White House aides quickly highlighted some of the images on social media. Press secretary Karoline Leavitt posted “Oh my!” alongside a shocked emoji in response to the hot tub image, while Clinton’s deputy chief of staff, Angel Ureña, defended the former president: “This is not about Bill Clinton. There are two types of people here. The first group knew nothing and severed relations with Epstein before his crimes came to light. The second group continued relations with him afterwards. We are part of the first one.”
Limited Revelations on Trump and Others
The release offered little new information on Donald Trump. The files mention him minimally, and the few images of him are already public. Trump did not reference the release during a rally on Friday. Other high-profile figures appear sparingly; one photograph shows former Prince Andrew in formal attire with women seated around him. Virginia Giuffre, a deceased accuser, alleged Epstein arranged sexual encounters for her with men, including the prince. Epstein survivor Marina Lacerda, who said he assaulted her from age 14, demanded greater transparency and criticized the blackouts: “Just release the files. And stop blacking out names that don’t need to be blacked out.”
Lawmakers Criticize Partial Disclosure
The limited release drew bipartisan criticism. Representatives Ro Khanna (D-CA) and Thomas Massie (R-KY), who introduced the discharge petition that led to the release, called the partial disclosure insufficient. Massie said it “grossly fails to comply with both the spirit and the letter of the law,” while Khanna described the release as “disappointing” and pledged to push for full documentation. Senator Jeff Merkley (D-OR) accused the administration of denying justice to Epstein’s victims and said he is “exploring all avenues and legal means to obtain justice for the victims and transparency for the American people.” Congress could also enforce subpoenas; the House Oversight Committee has issued one for additional files, though securing compliance would require cooperation from Republican colleagues.
