 "A fresh set of Epstein-related documents has been made public. (AFP)")
The US Department of Justice (DoJ) released at least 8,000 additional documents related to the case of convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein on Tuesday, following weeks of criticism over delays, redactions and alleged non-compliance with a new transparency law.
The documents were uploaded to the DoJ’s website, making it one of the largest public disclosures linked to the Epstein investigation so far.
New files include surveillance footage
According to the DoJ, the latest release includes hundreds of video and audio recordings. Among them is surveillance footage from August 2019, the same month Epstein was found dead in his jail cell while awaiting trial on federal sex trafficking charges.
Interestingly, the DoJ has also called for caution in interpreting certain references to the US president, without identifying which claims it was referring to.
“Some of these documents contain untrue and sensationalist claims made against President Trump that were submitted to the FBI right before the 2020 election,” the DoJ said in a statement posted on X.
“To be clear: the claims are unfounded and false, and if they had a shred of credibility, they certainly would have been weaponized against President Trump already.
“Nevertheless, out of our commitment to the law and transparency, the DoJ is releasing these documents with the legally required protections for Epstein’s victims.”
Trump, who had initially attempted to block the disclosure of the files, ultimately signed the law amid mounting bipartisan pressure from Congress. He has said he cut ties with Epstein years before his arrest and faces no accusations of wrongdoing.
The Justice Department has been accused of withholding information and has faced criticism from Democrats and victims’ advocates over what they describe as a slow and opaque release process.
Watch: Redacted Epstein Files Trigger Internet Meme Fest | Vantage with Palki Sharma
Congress nearly unanimously passed the Epstein Files Transparency Act (EFTA), which required the complete release of Epstein-related records by last Friday.
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View AllHowever, a group of victims earlier complained that only a “fraction” of the files were made public and said those were “riddled with abnormal and extreme redactions with no explanation.”
Also read | Bill Clinton’s team accuses White House of making him a ‘scapegoat’ in the Epstein Files saga
Lawmakers threaten legal action
Frustration in Congress has continued to build.
EFTA co-sponsors Ro Khanna, a Democrat, and Republican Thomas Massie warned they could pursue contempt proceedings against Attorney General Pam Bondi for failing to comply with the law.
On Monday, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer introduced a resolution calling for legal action against the administration for failing to release the complete Epstein files, further escalating the standoff between lawmakers and the Justice Department.
Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche defended the delays, citing the need to redact identifying details of Epstein’s more than 1,000 victims. Blanche also denied allegations on Sunday that the administration was protecting President Donald Trump, who was previously a close associate of Epstein.
Despite Tuesday’s release, lawmakers and victims’ advocates say significant questions remain over whether all required documents have now been made public.