DOJ releasing 3 million pages of Epstein files, ‘didn’t protect’ Trump, deputy AG says
The Justice Department is set to release three million pages from its files on the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, according to Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche. This release follows the passage of the Epstein Files Transparency Act and will include 2,000 videos and 180,000 images related to the Epstein case.
Blanche clarified that out of a total of 6 million documents, not all will be made public in the current release due to the presence of child sexual abuse material and victim rights obligations. He also addressed concerns about the Justice Department protecting President Donald Trump from appearing in the files, stating that there was no such protection or oversight by the White House.
The release includes a chart showing connections between Epstein and various individuals, with redacted names but recognizable faces such as Ghislaine Maxwell, Jean Luc Brunel, and Epstein’s lawyer, accountant, and assistant. The document also lists individuals categorized by their relation to Epstein’s arrest.
Internal DOJ communications revealed a plan to contact potential witnesses following Epstein’s arrest, listing eight individuals as “suspected co-conspirators,” including Maxwell, Brunel, and Epstein’s assistant Leslie Groff. Groff, who has never been charged with a crime, denied any knowledge of illegal activities.
The DOJ has uploaded three data sets to its public website, with one set containing over 300,000 items. A team of 500 attorneys worked tirelessly to review and redact the material for public release.
The Epstein Files Transparency Act was passed by Congress and signed into law by Trump, mandating the public availability of unclassified records related to investigations and prosecutions of Epstein and Maxwell. Exceptions were made to protect the privacy of victims.
Prior to this release, the DOJ had already posted around 12,000 documents totaling 125,000 pages, including a record of a 1996 FBI complaint and details of the investigation into potential accomplices. The new release also included photographs of Epstein’s properties searched by the FBI after his arrest in 2019.
Despite initial concerns, the released files have yet to show evidence of wrongdoing by famous and powerful men. Epstein, known for luring minor girls to his properties for sexual activities, died by suicide in 2019 while awaiting trial for charges of sexually exploiting and abusing underage girls.
The ongoing release of documents aims to provide transparency and shed light on the Epstein case, ensuring accountability and justice for the victims involved.
