Epstein files live: Trump administration under fire for sweeping redactions as critics demand explanation
Epstein pictured with a host of prominent figures, including Michael Jackson and Bill Clinton, in newly released files
The Trump administration is facing mounting pressure to defend its handling of the release of thousands of Jeffrey Epstein files after the DOJ defied Congress by failing to share all the documents by the Friday deadline, while blacking out more than 500 pages.
“There's been a lot of effort, money and time put into redactions. Not to protect victims, but to protect people in power,” one Epstein survivor said.
Rep. Ro Khanna, who co-wrote the law requiring the full release of the files, called on Attorney General Pam Bondi and deputy Todd Blanche to come before the public, share a timeline for the full release, and explain any redactions.
“They have not been transparent, and that’s why that’s people’s biggest concern on this - that they’re hiding things," he said.
The Justice Department acknowledged that the files were only partially released and said the entirety would come in a “couple of weeks.”
The Epstein files so far include an extensive library of legal documents, paperwork and photos, including images of former President Bill Clinton lounging in a hot tub and Epstein with a host of prominent figures, including Michael Jackson.
Many of the photos were without dates and lacking in context. Inclusion in the Epstein files does not suggest wrongdoing.
DOJ still 'covering up' for powerful men in Epstein files, congressman says
The Trump administration is continuing to shield powerful people who are tied to the Epstein sex trafficking ring, according to California congressman Ro Khanna.
In an X post on Saturday, the Democrat railed against the DOJ, highlighting how a file from the newly released Epstein documents showed the FBI was warned by ex-Epstein employee Maria Farmer he might be a predator as early as 1996, a full decade before it began an investigation into the financier.
“The reality is that our nation could have prevented the abuse of many of the 1200 plus survivors, but Epstein was connected to enough powerful & rich men to block law enforcement from acting,” Khanna wrote. “For three decades, powerful people have accused Maria of lying about filing that complaint.”
“The survivors, like Maria, are telling the truth,” he added. “This country has betrayed and abandoned them for decades. The DOJ still is covering up for prominent men who abused or raped young girls or were at parties where these young girls were being paraded & abused.”
Epstein survivor finally learns from files dump what happened to 1996 child porn complaint she made to FBI, years before investigation
The release of tens of thousands of files from probes into deceased sex offender Jeffrey Epstein has confirmed that a former employee warned the FBI in 1996 that he was seeking out child pornography - a decade before the agency investigated the financier.
“I’ve waited 30 years,” Maria Farmer told The New York Times after the Justice Department released files Friday. Among the documents was Farmer’s report to the bureau, which is thought to be the first time someone reported Epstein to law enforcement.
Farmer, who accused Epstein and his associate Ghislaine Maxwell of sexually assaulting her in a 2019 lawsuit, has said she faced threats and claims that she was inventing her story, for years.
“I can’t believe it,” Farmer added. “They can’t call me a liar anymore.”
The FBI has never publicly acknowledged the report.
More details in our full story.
.jpeg?width=1200&height=800&crop=1200:800)
Epstein survivor learns fate of her 1996 FBI complaint in file dump
Why the Epstein saga is far from over on Capitol Hill
As the year comes to a close, the political fire around the Epstein scandal shows no signs of abating.
Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.) has said members of Congress are talking about possible impeachment or contempt actions against the Justice Department because it has not released the full trove of documents required by a bill Trump signed last month.
Meanwhile, Republican Rep. Thomas Massie, among a small group of House Republicans who pushed for the release, has said the Justice Department has “grossly” failed to “comply with both the spirit and letter of the law.”
The Justice Department has said more releases will come in the next few weeks.
Four major takeaways from heavily redacted Epstein files
Ro Khanna reacts to partial release of Epstein files: "They have not been transparent"
'Bondi should resign tonight': Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez calls files' release a 'cover-up'
US Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez has called for Bondi to “resign tonight”.
Accusing the Trump administration of orchestrating a “cover-up”, she wrote on X: “This is far from over. Everyone involved will have to answer for this. Pam Bondi, Kash Patel, whole admin.”
What Susie Wiles was really trying to say about Trump in her tell-all interview
As Trump’s chief of staff, Susie Wiles is one of the few people the president really trusts, writes Jon Sopel. So why did this savvy political operator go on-the-record with Vanity Fair to paint such a damning picture of the White House?
What Susie Wiles was really trying to tell us about Trump in Vanity Fair
Epstein staffer who reported him in 1996 'vindicated' by release of files
A woman who reported Epstein for his then alleged interest in child pornography in 1996 said she felt ‘vindicated’ by the release of the files.
Maria Farmer told the New York Times: “I’ve waited 30 years. I can’t believe it. They can’t call me a liar anymore.”
Ms Farmer’s original report was never publicly acknowledged by the FBI.
She said that “they should all be ashamed”, having not acted until years after the report. Epstein was first arrested in 2006.
Bondi must share full timeline for release, says Khanna
Ro Khanna called for US Attorney General Pam Bondi or deputy Todd Blanche to stand in front of the country and share the timeline for the full release of the Epstein Files.
He told reporters on Friday that the DoJ should explain to the public why redactions were made, and what can be reasonably expected.
“They have not been transparent, and that’s why that’s people’s biggest concern on this - that they’re hiding things," he said.
Ro Khanna continues to jostle to the DoJ for transparency over the partially released Epstein Files
Pam Bondi's boasts of 'transparency' amid Epstein Files fallout
Pam Bondi faced backlash over her boasts of the Trump administration’s ‘transparency’ on Saturday in the wake of the partial release of the Epstein files.
The US Attorney General wrote on social media that “President Trump is leading the most transparent administration in American history” after the DoJ moved forward with plans to share documents on the 2024 assassination attempt against Trump in Butler, PA.
She was roundly criticised on social media by users sharing heavily redacted documents from the new trove of Epstein Files.
Rep Ro Khanna says files missing key documents
Representative Ro Khanna accused the DoJ of making “excessive redactions” in the latest release of the documents on Jeffrey Epstein.
The Democrat congressman, who co-wrote the law requiring the full release of the files, said Friday’s document dump fell short of what was legally required.
“What we found out is the most important documents are missing,” Khanna told CNN.
“They’ve had excessive redactions, and the central question that Americans want to know – who are the other rich and powerful men on the island, raping these young girls or covering up – has not been answered.”
He said the two documents survivors wanted to see were a 60-count indictment against Epstein and an 82-page memo supporting it drawn up by Marie Villafaña in 2007.
Villafaña, then leading the investigation of Epstein for the US attorney’s office in Miami, was never able to file the indictment as her superiors sought a deal with Epstein instead.
Neither document was included in the files released on Friday.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments
Bookmark popover
Removed from bookmarks