Epstein victims and US lawmakers condemn the Trump administration for slow, heavily redacted document releases, calling it a cover-up.
WASHINGTON: Victims of financier Jeffrey Epstein joined lawmakers in criticising the Trump administration’s slow and heavily redacted release of investigation files.
President Donald Trump said people who “innocently met” Epstein risked ruined reputations from the document disclosures.
The Epstein Files Transparency Act mandated a complete release by last Friday, but the Justice Department has issued only one batch.
Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche cited the need to redact over 1,000 victim identities for the delay.
A victims’ group stated only a “fraction” of files were released, calling them “riddled with abnormal and extreme redactions with no explanation.”
They added that numerous victim identities were left unredacted, “causing real and immediate harm.”
EFTA co-sponsors Ro Khanna and Thomas Massie threatened contempt of Congress charges against Attorney General Pam Bondi for non-compliance.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer introduced a resolution calling for legal action over the failure to release complete files.
“This is a blatant cover-up,” Schumer stated. “Pam Bondi and Todd Blanche are shielding Donald Trump from accountability.”
Blanche denied redactions were made to protect the president, a former friend of the convicted sex offender.
Trump initially tried to block the files’ disclosure but later signed the law compelling publication under congressional pressure.
He dismissed the controversy as a deflection from Republican Party successes.
Trump commented on photos in the released files, including ones of former President Bill Clinton.
“You probably have pictures being exposed of other people that innocently met Jeffrey Epstein years ago,” Trump said.
Clinton urged the Justice Department to release any materials related to him, stating he had nothing to hide.
“Someone or something is being protected,” Clinton said. “We need no such protection.”
Ghislaine Maxwell, Epstein’s former girlfriend, is serving a 20-year sentence for recruiting underage girls for him.