Justice Department Publishes Incomplete Files
The US Justice Department released thousands of documents and photographs tied to Jeffrey Epstein on Friday, a move long demanded by the public and lawmakers for insight into the financier’s crimes and powerful connections. The release included mostly photographs but also call logs, court records, and other investigative material, many heavily redacted. Democrats immediately condemned the release as incomplete, accusing the Trump administration of withholding key information. The department said it plans to continue publishing files over the coming weeks to meet legal obligations and public expectations.
Trump Signs Bill Amid Political Pressure
President Donald Trump, who had a past friendship with Epstein but faces no accusations of wrongdoing, resisted releasing the files for months. He argued that the public would gain nothing of substance from them. On 19 November, under mounting political pressure from Republican lawmakers, Trump signed legislation mandating the Justice Department to release most files within 30 days. The White House described the move as evidence that the administration is the “most transparent in history.” Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche told Fox News that several hundred thousand files were expected initially, with more to follow. The actual release represented only a fraction of that total, and Blanche later admitted in a letter to Congress that production remained incomplete. The department aims to finish the release by the end of the year.
Contents of the Released Files
The initial release, labelled “DOJ Disclosures,” included roughly 4,000 files, primarily photographs taken during FBI searches of Epstein’s homes in New York City and the US Virgin Islands. The files also show boxes, envelopes, and folders containing investigative material. Additional releases included court records, public documents, and prior disclosures to congressional committees, though many were already publicly known from previous litigation. Redactions removed victim-identifying information and content depicting sexual or physical abuse, drawing criticism from advocates who called for greater transparency.
Images of High-Profile Figures Draw Attention
Several photographs depict former President Bill Clinton, who admitted to travelling on Epstein’s private jet but said he had no knowledge of Epstein’s crimes. Some images show Clinton on a private plane with an obscured woman, in a pool with Ghislaine Maxwell and another unidentified individual, and alongside Michael Jackson and Diana Ross. Another shows him in a hot tub with a woman whose face is obscured. The Justice Department did not clarify the connection of these images to the criminal investigation. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt highlighted one photo on social media, while Clinton’s deputy chief of staff Angel Ureña clarified that the focus should not be on Clinton. “This is not about Bill Clinton,” Ureña wrote on X. “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.” Clinton has never been accused of wrongdoing in connection with Epstein.
Limited Mention of Trump and Other Figures
Trump appears only minimally in the files, and the few photographs of him have circulated publicly for decades. He made no public comments about the release during a rally on Friday. The files include at least one photograph of Prince Andrew in a formal setting with several seated women; Virginia Giuffre alleged Epstein arranged sexual encounters for her with men including the prince. Epstein survivor Marina Lacerda expressed frustration with the partial disclosure, calling for the Justice Department to “just release the files” and remove unnecessary redactions.
Political Reactions and Ongoing Dispute
Lawmakers expressed anger over the incomplete release. Representatives Ro Khanna (D-California) and Thomas Massie (R-Kentucky), who pushed the congressional vote that mandated the release, criticised the partial disclosure. Massie said the release “grossly fails to comply with both the spirit and the letter of the law,” while Khanna called it “disappointing” and pledged to continue pursuing the full documents. Senator Jeff Merkley (D-Oregon) said ignoring the deadline denied justice to Epstein’s victims and confirmed he is exploring all legal avenues to secure transparency. Congressional action could include court proceedings to enforce compliance or subpoenas, such as the one issued by the House Oversight Committee, though enforcement would likely require bipartisan support.
