DOJ Publishes First Batch of Epstein Documents
The US justice department has published an initial batch of documents linked to Jeffrey Epstein, BBC reports. This is the first release under a law passed by Congress that requires the full disclosure of the files.
The highly anticipated material includes photographs, videos and investigative records. However the Department of Justice admitted it would not meet the legal deadline to release the entire collection by Friday.
The first tranche names several well known figures, among them former US president Bill Clinton, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor and musicians Mick Jagger and Michael Jackson. Officials stressed that being mentioned or appearing in the files does not imply any wrongdoing, and many individuals named in current or earlier releases have denied any involvement in criminal activity.
Extensive redactions draw criticism
Large sections of the newly released documents remain redacted. These include police statements, investigative reports and images, with more than 100 pages from one grand jury file completely blacked out. While the law allows redactions to protect victims’ identities or active investigations, it also requires the justice department to justify those omissions, something that has not yet been done.
According to the department, the thousands of pages made public so far represent only a portion of the total archive. Deputy attorney general Todd Blanche said several hundred thousand pages were released on Friday, with a similar number expected in the coming weeks. He said each document was being closely reviewed to ensure victims’ identities and personal details were fully protected, a process he described as time consuming.
The lack of a clear timetable for further disclosures has drawn criticism from lawmakers across party lines. Democratic congressman Ro Khanna has threatened action against justice department officials, including the possibility of impeachment or prosecution over the delays. Khanna worked alongside Republican congressman Thomas Massie to force a vote on the Epstein Files Transparency Act, despite opposition from US president Donald Trump.
Limited references to President Trump
Among the documents released are court filings that reference Trump. One lawsuit alleges that Epstein introduced a 14-year-old girl to Trump at his Mar-a-Lago resort in the 1990s. The filing describes an exchange that left the girl uncomfortable but does not accuse Trump of any wrongdoing. Epstein’s victims have not made allegations against the president, and his appearances in the released files are limited.
The justice department has said further disclosures will follow, but political pressure is mounting for a faster and more complete release of the remaining Epstein records.
