DOJ Releases More Epstein Files, Including References to Trump
The Justice Department released nearly 30,000 more pages of files related to sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, including many that reference President Trump.
The big picture: The newest drop of thousands of files comes after the department was slammed for it’s heavily redacted adn incomplete rollout.
Over a dozen Epstein survivors lambasted the DOJ on monday for last week’s partial release that they said was “riddled with abnormal and extreme redactions with no explanation.” Lawmakers accused the DOJ of flouting the law that triggered the files’ release. the department said more documents are coming,but it has hundreds of thousands of pages to review – “an arduous process.”
The Epstein files are available on the DOJ website.
The DOJ said in an X post announcing the data drop that some documents “contain untrue and sensationalist claims made against President Trump that were submitted to the FBI right before the 2020 election.” The White House wouldn’t comment when reached by Axios.Trump has not been accused of wrongdoing.
Driving the news: A 2020 email from a federal prosecutor states that Trump “traveled on Epstein’s private jet many more times than previously has been reported,” at least eight times between 1993 and 1996.
The attorney said flights included one trip where the only three passengers were Trump, epstein and a 20-year-old whose name was redacted.He was also listed on other flights as traveling with his ex-wife Marla Maples and two of his children, Tiffany and Eric, per the email. “On two other flights, two of the passengers, respectively, were women who would be possible witnesses in a Maxwell case,” the message read.
What’s inside: The drop also reveals that Trump’s Mar-a-Lago club was visited by the FBI in 2021 to produce documents in the case against epstein associate Ghislaine Maxwell. It was instructed to bring “Any and all employment records relating to” a redacted name.
Zoom out: The files also include a letter.
## Trump Criticizes Epstein File Releases, Calls for Full Clarity
Donald trump has criticized the recent release of documents related to Jeffrey Epstein, specifically objecting to the inclusion of images of Bill Clinton and suggesting the release is politically motivated. He argued that the released materials unfairly target individuals who had innocent interactions with Epstein years ago and called for the release of *all* related materials. A Clinton spokesperson responded by urging Trump and florida Attorney General Pam Bondi to release any remaining documents pertaining to the former president,suggesting selective releases are intended to create the *appearance* of wrongdoing.### Trump’s Response and Concerns
Trump voiced his disapproval on social media, stating he disliked seeing pictures of others included in the released files. He further claimed that “you probably have pictures being exposed of other people that innocently met Jeffrey Epstein years ago.” This statement implies a belief that the document releases are not solely focused on uncovering criminal activity but are being used to damage the reputations of individuals connected to Epstein.
### Clinton Spokesperson’s Rebuttal
In response to Trump’s comments, a spokesperson for Bill Clinton released a statement calling on both Trump and Attorney General Pam Bondi to release all remaining materials related to Clinton. the statement accused the Department of Justice of prioritizing “insinuation” over transparency, suggesting the selective release of documents is designed to falsely imply wrongdoing by individuals who have already been investigated and cleared.
### Background: The Epstein File Releases
The release of thes documents stems from a court order to unseal records related to Jeffrey Epstein’s sex trafficking case. Epstein,a wealthy financier,was arrested in July 2019 on federal sex trafficking charges and died by suicide while in jail the following month. The unsealed documents have included flight logs, witness testimonies, and other materials detailing his connections to numerous high-profile individuals. Axios reports that the release of these files is nearing its final chapter, after a year of ongoing disclosures.
### Key Takeaways
* Donald Trump criticized the release of Epstein files, focusing on the inclusion of images of bill Clinton.
* Trump alleges the releases are politically motivated and target individuals with innocent connections to Epstein.
* A Clinton spokesperson called for the full release of all documents related to Bill Clinton, accusing the DOJ of selective disclosure.
* The document releases are the result of a court order to unseal records related to Epstein’s sex trafficking case.
The ongoing debate surrounding the Epstein files highlights the complexities of balancing transparency with privacy and the potential for politically charged interpretations of sensitive information.As the final documents are released, further scrutiny and analysis will likely be applied to understand the full extent of Epstein’s network and the involvement of those connected to him.
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