WASHINGTON — In a significant development fueling political controversy, the US Justice Department unveiled millions of previously undisclosed documents from the Jeffrey Epstein case on Friday. The release includes over three million pages of records, accompanied by 180,000 images and 2,000 videos, intensifying scrutiny around connections between the convicted sex offender and high-profile political figures, including former President Donald Trump.
Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche announced that the publication concludes an extensive document identification and review process designed to ensure transparency for the American public. The department emphasized that all images depicting girls and women—except those of convicted accomplice Ghislaine Maxwell—were redacted to protect victims’ identities. Maxwell is currently serving a 20-year sentence for trafficking underage girls for Epstein.
This document dump, mandated by the Epstein Files Transparency Act (EFTA), follows months of political maneuvering and internal Republican Party pressure compelling Trump to authorize the disclosure. Epstein, a wealthy financier who died in a New York jail in 2019 while awaiting trial for sex trafficking, had established extensive networks among business leaders, celebrities, and politicians.
While previous releases have revealed Epstein’s associations with figures including Trump and former President Bill Clinton, the latest trove is anticipated to contain previously unseen investigative materials. Notably, two FBI emails from July 2019 reference 10 unnamed ‘co-conspirators,’ though only Maxwell has faced charges related to Epstein’s crimes.
Blanche, who previously served as Trump’s personal attorney, vehemently denied allegations that the Justice Department attempted to shield the president or any other individuals through selective redactions. He stated that the White House exercised no oversight during the review process, which prioritized protecting the identities of Epstein’s more than 1,000 victims.
The documents confirm Trump’s social connections with Epstein, including multiple flights on Epstein’s private jet between 1993 and 1996. Despite this, neither Trump nor Clinton has been accused of wrongdoing. Meanwhile, a Republican-led House panel has moved to initiate contempt proceedings against Bill and Hillary Clinton for refusing to testify in the Epstein investigation.
The Justice Department separately cautioned that some released documents contain ‘untrue and sensationalist claims’ about Trump, reflecting the highly charged political environment surrounding the case.