On Friday, the Justice Department released several hundred thousand documents related to Jeffrey Epstein, following a bipartisan law that gave the department 30 days to post all unclassified files.
The Release
Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche announced early that the department would not immediately share the full extent of the documents, releasing “several hundred thousand” documents on Friday and then, over the next couple weeks, he expects “several hundred thousand more.” The 30-day clock set by the law ends on Friday.
Attorney General Pam Bondi called the release the “first phase,” saying the Department of Justice is “following through on President Trump’s commitment to transparency and lifting the veil on the disgusting actions of Jeffrey Epstein and his co-conspirators.” She added that the first phase “sheeds light on Epstein’s extensive network and begins to provide the public with long overdue accountability.”
Contents of the Files
The released files contain more than 7,700 links, including photos, court records, and other documents tied to Epstein. They also cover case files from more than 50 investigations involving Epstein and his associate Ghislaine Maxwell, as well as documents from the Bureau of Prisons investigation into Epstein’s death, ruled a suicide.
A letter to Congress, obtained by The Hill, noted that a staff of 200 attorneys reviewed the records and shielded the names of about 1,200 victims. One file, titled “Masseuse List,” redacts 254 names to protect victims.
The letter repeats the department’s July statement that the files “revealed credible evidence that Epstein blackmailed prominent individuals” or provided sufficient evidence for new charges against third parties.
Images in the files include Epstein with former President Bill Clinton, Michael Jackson, and Mick Jagger, as well as travel photos, home shots, and photographs taken from his jet.
Political Reactions
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said the law required the release of “ALL the Epstein files, not just some,” and that failing to do so was breaking the law. Rep. Thomas Massie posted a screenshot of the bill highlighting the 30-day deadline.
Rep. Ro Khanna, a sponsor of the bill, said he and others would consider legal action if the DOJ does not comply by turning over all files, noting the release was heavily redacted and unclear if it contains key documents.
Rep. Mike Lawler acknowledged that while the DOJ intends to comply expeditiously, the volume of documents makes a full release in 30 days “not realistic.”
Josh Sorbe, a spokesperson for Sen. Dick Durbin, called the DOJ’s partial release a violation of the law that “continues this Administration’s pattern of protecting President Trump and other perpetrators.”
Key Takeaways
- The Justice Department has released a portion of Epstein files but has not yet posted all documents required by law.
- The release includes thousands of links, photos, and case files tied to Epstein and Maxwell.
- Bipartisan lawmakers demand a full release, citing redactions and incomplete compliance with the transparency act.
The public will receive the remaining documents over the coming weeks, as the Department of Justice works to meet the transparency requirements set by Congress and President Trump.
