The US Justice Department has released a new set of documents linked to the investigation into convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. According to CNN, the files include photographs and records that show several well-known figures, such as former US President Bill Clinton, Ghislaine Maxwell, and pop icon Michael Jackson, in social settings with Epstein. The documents were made public under the Epstein Files Transparency Act.
The released material is heavily redacted to protect victims’ identities and to avoid interfering with ongoing investigations. While some of the information had surfaced earlier, CNN reported that several documents are likely being made public for the first time. The release includes multiple pages and large datasets.
Names of prominent figures appear
Among the notable details, the documents reportedly show Bill Clinton swimming with Ghislaine Maxwell and sitting in a hot tub with an unidentified individual. Photos also include Michael Jackson posing with Epstein and Clinton. Other well-known names mentioned in the files include Mick Jagger, Woody Allen, and Noam Chomsky.
Political reactions and criticism
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer criticised Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche for saying that only some files would be released now, with more coming later, despite the legal deadline. Blanche told Fox News that “several hundred thousand” documents are being released, with additional disclosures planned in the coming weeks.
Law mandates full disclosure
US President Donald Trump had signed legislation passed by Congress in November, requiring the Justice Department to release all non-exempt information related to the Epstein case by December 19. The Epstein Files Transparency Act mandated the release of these records, and the Justice Department made the documents public around 4 pm local time on Thursday.
The massive trove includes thousands of apparently never-before-released documents along with thousands of files that were already public from various court cases and public records requests. DOJ disclosures, court records, public records requests, and congressional releases were among the documents released, according to CNN.
New photos of Bill Clinton and Ghislaine Maxwell released
Several previously unreleased photographs of former President Bill Clinton with Epstein and his accomplice, Ghislaine Maxwell, were released. The DOJ’s redactions of the files are extensive, and the reasons for them extend beyond what the law requires. In some cases, entire pages are redacted. To comply with the law, several redactions had to be made, according to the DOJ.
Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche said, “any material that contained personally identifiable information of victims, child sexual abuse materials, classified national defence or foreign policy information, or would jeopardise an active investigation.”
Michael Jackson photo included
Among the thousands of documents released as part of the Epstein files is a photo of pop icon Michael Jackson standing next to Epstein. The two are seen standing in front of a painting of what appears to be a naked woman. It is unclear when or where the photo was taken. Another photo released shows President Bill Clinton with his arm around Jackson. A woman whose identity is redacted and Supreme’s singer Diana Ross are to their right. Epstein is not pictured, as per CNN.
Background about the Epstein file
Jeffrey Epstein, a wealthy financier and convicted sex offender, was found dead in his jail cell in 2019 while awaiting trial on federal sex trafficking charges. His death was ruled a suicide by hanging, but many questions and conspiracy theories surround the circumstances of his death.
(With ANI Inputs)
