The U.S. Department of Justice released government investigative files on the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, but criticism that key materials were omitted is stirring controversy. Some say at least 16 files disappeared in less than a day after being posted.
On the 19th, local time, the Justice Department released more than 13,000 investigative documents on Epstein. The department had decided in July to keep the records confidential, but last month Congress passed a bill with bipartisan support requiring the materials to be made public.
Most of the records came from the initial probe launched by Palm Beach, Florida, police in 2005, and they also included follow-up files from the Florida U.S. attorney's office that ended with a 2008 plea agreement and the final materials from the Manhattan prosecutors in 2019.
Many documents, including call logs, travel diaries, and case files that appear to contain interviews with female victims, were heavily redacted. In particular, a 119-page file titled "New York grand jury" was released entirely blacked out.
Also, a significant number of photographs were found to be related to former President Bill Clinton. For example, images were released showing him with his arm around a woman with her face obscured, or lying together in a bathtub. When questions arose that material related to President Donald Trump might have been intentionally removed, Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche dismissed the claim, saying, "There is no intent to hide anything."
In addition, some files were accessible on the 19th but disappeared from the portal on the 20th. Among them were photos of President Trump, first lady Melania, Epstein, and his longtime companion Ghislaine Maxwell together.
In response, Clinton spokesperson Angel Ureña said in a statement, "This issue is not about Clinton," adding, "Everyone, including MAGA (Trump's hard-line base), wants answers, not scapegoats."
Democrats also say the materials released by the Justice Department are only a small fraction of all the evidence and that the government should immediately release all files. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said, "This shows the Justice Department, Trump, and Attorney General Pam Bondi are hell-bent on covering up the truth."