The US Department of Justice (DOJ) released thousands of documents from Epstein files that contain investigatory details related to late financier and sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
As reported by Reuters, last month Congress overwhelmingly approved a new law forcing the files disclosure publicly.
The released files on Friday did not follow the complete release. With the administration recently opting for a partial and heavily redacted release, it remains unclear whether this limited disclosure will be enough to quell the concerns of critics.
Here are the major takeaways from the highly-anticipated Epstein files.
Scant reference to Donald Trump
Despite hundreds of thousands of pages being released on Friday, the US President is notably absent from the new trove of files.
According to Reuters, during the examination of the cache a specific piece of evidence was found which showed Epstein holding a check that appeared to bear Trump’s name on it. Moreover, a copy of Trump’s 1997 book, Trump: The Art of the Comeback was also photographed on a bookshelf inside Epstein’s Manhattan townhouse.
The documents shed light on the relationship when Trump and Epstein were social acquaintances. Donald Trump maintained that they had a falling out in the mid-2000s before Epstein’s conviction in 2008.
‘Most important documents are still missing’
According to the Epstein Files Transparency Act, the attorney general was given the time of 30 days to release a searchable and downloadable format of all unclassified records and investigative materials involving Epstein.
However, in a recent release, “the most important documents are still missing,” said Ro Khanna, the Democratic representative who co-authored the Epstein Files Transparency Act.
“What we found out is that the most important documents are missing. 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,” Khanna added.
Numerous appearances of Bill Clinton in new trove
The released documents contained numerous mentions and photographs of former US President Bill Clinton in a social setting associated with Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell. One photo features Clinton in a swimming pool with Maxwell and an unidentified person.
In another picture, he is standing with Epstein as they smile while looking at something. A third photo included the painting of Clinton in a blue dress which was hung in Epstein’ s New York residence.
According to Angel Urena, Clinton’s deputy chief of staff, who responded on the social media platform X, ‘these images of Clinton are grainy, 20-plus-year-old photos.” She also clarified that Bill Clinton at that time was unaware of Epstein’s crimes.
More celebrity sightings
Besides Bill Clinton, the documents contained other photographs featuring celebrities and high-profile figures. In different photographs, Epstein was seen with Michael Jackson and Kevin Spacey.
1,200 victims and relatives identified
According to Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche, during the comprehensive review of the documents, the department had identified more than 1200 victims of Epstein and their relatives.
