The Department of Justice (DOJ) recently released a large batch of documents related to Jeffrey Epstein, the late convicted sex offender, following the requirements of the Epstein Files Transparency Act. This legislation, passed by Congress and signed into law by former President Donald Trump, mandates that all DOJ files on Epstein be made public.
Trump reacted to the release, telling reporters he doesn’t “like the pictures of other people being shown,” specifically mentioning former President Bill Clinton and other notable figures. He emphasized that many of the celebrities and public figures pictured with Epstein, including Michael Jackson, Sir Mick Jagger, and Lord Mandelson, had only incidental encounters with him. Trump stated that these individuals had “innocently met Jeffrey Epstein years ago” and that sharing these images could unfairly damage reputations.
Trump also framed the release of the documents as politically motivated, suggesting that the focus on Epstein distracts from the accomplishments of the Republican Party. He said, “This whole thing with Epstein is a way to try to deflect from the tremendous success of the Republican Party,” and added that the economy’s growth and other achievements are being overshadowed by the ongoing Epstein coverage.
The DOJ, represented by Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche, emphasized the need to protect Epstein’s victims while fulfilling the legal obligation to release the documents. Under the Epstein Files Transparency Act, the agency was required to make all investigation files public by December 19, with only minimal redactions allowed.
While the photo releases have sparked debate and criticism, there is no evidence that any of the individuals pictured were involved in Epstein’s criminal activities. The documents primarily serve to increase transparency in the investigation and ensure compliance with the law.
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