Jeffrey Epstein files latest: Trump administration criticized over partial and heavily redacted release | Jeffrey Epstein

Hello. We continue our live coverage of the Department of Justice’s long-awaited release of documents related to federal investigations. jeffrey epsteinlate sex offender socializing Donald Trump For more than 15 years.

The first cache of ‘Epstein Files’ was released on Friday evening after months of delays and stalling by the Trump administration. deputy attorney general Todd Blanche He told Fox News he expects the department to release several hundred thousand more files in the coming weeks.

However, a significant portion of the files have been heavily edited. The photos lack important context, including dates and locations. Moreover, the justice department appears to have violated the law requiring his release All According to the two congressmen who drafted the bill, the Epstein files must be delivered by Friday. Ro Khannaa California Democrat and Thomas Massiea Kentucky Republican.

Missing documentation and ‘overcorrections’:

• Hanna He said “this afternoon’s partial document dump does not comply with the Epstein File Transparency Act,” and told CNN: “The most important documents are missing.” These documents include a draft 60-count federal indictment outlining the charges against Epstein and a detailed memorandum outlining evidence the US attorney ignored. Alex AcostaInstead, he chose to offer Epstein an extraordinarily lenient plea deal.

• Accordingly A report from Fox NewsThe Justice Department redacted the names and identities of the victims, and “the same redaction standards were applied to politically exposed individuals and government officials.” Massie wrote It was stated on social media that attorney general Pam Bondi could be convicted of obstruction of justice by the justice department in the future if she violated a provision of the law by removing the names of government officials. Massie noted that the law clearly states that no document “shall be withheld, delayed, or withheld for reasons of embarrassment, disrepute, or political sensitivity, including to any government official.” Blanche He later called Fox News to insist that the justice department “did not change the name of any politician.”

• Instead, the justice department said the Epstein files may have been “over-redacted” in an effort to “protect victims.” Jay ClaytonThe face of nearly every woman photographed with Jeffrey Epstein was blacked out because of issues determining who was a pedophile’s victim, the U.S. attorney for the Southern District of New York told court Friday. Mr. Clayton reportedly stated that the approach may have been “over-redaction” but attributed this to the 30-day deadline set by Congress for releasing the documents.

Who’s in the Epstein files?

• Among the files available to view were images of Epstein socializing with a number of prominent people, including entertainers. Michael Jackson, Chris Tucker And Diana Ross, and entrepreneur Richard Branson. The former British royal family is also seen in the images Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor and his ex wife sarah ferguson.

• Peter MandelsonTrump, who was fired from his post as Britain’s ambassador to the US at the beginning of this year, could be seen in a photo with Epstein, who was presented with a giant birthday cake.

• There were many images Bill ClintonBut there is little about President Trump in the portion of the files released Friday. But a seemingly innocuous snapshot of Epstein’s library contained a reminder that he and Trump were once close. Pictured was Epstein’s copy of Trump’s 1997 book Trump: The Art of ComebackNew York Times reported in July There was a post by Trump: “To Jeff – You are the best!”