The U.S. Justice Department on Friday released thousands of heavily redacted documents related to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, with the newly disclosed files featuring former president Bill Clinton far more prominently than Donald Trump.
The partial disclosure was made under a congressional law that required the release of Epstein-related records, despite earlier attempts to keep many of the files sealed. The documents include photographs and material gathered during multiple investigations into Epstein’s activities. Several images show Bill Clinton in social settings, including near swimming pools and hot tubs.
Clinton has previously acknowledged social contact with Epstein but has said he regrets the association and has denied any knowledge of Epstein’s criminal conduct. In its statement, the Justice Department said the release was aimed at transparency while still complying with legal obligations to protect victim privacy.
In contrast, references to Trump are minimal in the latest batch. This has drawn attention because earlier disclosures included flight records that listed Trump as a passenger on Epstein’s private plane. Court filings have also alleged an encounter in the 1990s at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago property involving a minor, though Trump has not been charged with any wrongdoing and has consistently denied knowledge of Epstein’s crimes.
Observers noted the limited mention of Trump, given the political sensitivity of Epstein’s connections and Trump’s past public promotion of conspiracy theories related to the cas
Several Democrats criticized the release, saying the heavy redactions undermine the intent of the law. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said the level of redaction violated the spirit of the legislation. Representative Ro Khanna said the disclosure failed to meet legal requirements, while Representative Robert Garcia and Senator Adam Schiff called for oversight hearings to ensure full compliance.
The Justice Department responded that sensitive victim information and details tied to ongoing or related inquiries were withheld to protect privacy and legal integrity.
The release comes after Trump last month ordered the Justice Department to examine Clinton’s links to Epstein, a move critics described as politically driven. The White House said the document release reflects transparency, though lawmakers noted it was largely compelled by congressional action rather than a voluntary decision.
Trump has not publicly commented on the latest files and has instead focused on economic issues during recent campaign appearances.
Previous Epstein disclosures have highlighted links to other high-profile figures, including Steve Bannon, Peter Thiel, and Prince Andrew. In 2023, JPMorgan agreed to a $290 million settlement over claims that it failed to act on warning signs while Epstein remained a client after his 2008 conviction.
The latest release adds to ongoing scrutiny of how Epstein’s network operated and how authorities handled information tied to some of the world’s most powerful figures.
