Epstein files: DOJ releases millions of files including new mugshot of Ghislaine Maxwell, FBI agent interviews | LiveNOW from FOX
The U.S. Department of Justice has officially wrapped up its long-running review of the Jeffrey Epstein files, announcing the release of the final and most extensive batch of records. And yes, it’s massive — more than 3.5 million pages, along with 2,000 videos and 180,000 images, are now being made public.
So, what does this really mean, and why does it matter? Let’s break it down clearly and conversationally.
What Happened With the Epstein Files?
On Friday, Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche confirmed that the DOJ has completed its obligations under the Epstein Files Transparency Act. Speaking at a press conference, Blanche said the release marks the end of a detailed, months-long vetting process — even though it comes over a month after the congressional deadline.
According to the DOJ, officials reviewed more than 6 million records, passing them through multiple layers of quality control before approving the final release.
Why This Release Matters
This disclosure effectively closes the DOJ’s legal responsibility under the transparency law. But Blanche acknowledged something important:
“There’s a hunger for information that I don’t think will be satisfied by the review of these documents.”
In other words, while the release is comprehensive, it may not fully answer every public question surrounding Epstein’s network, associations, and activities.
What’s Inside the Files — and What’s Redacted
Here’s what we know so far:
- All women are fully redacted from photos and videos to protect privacy.
- Men are not redacted, unless required to protect women’s identities.
- Members of Congress may request access to unredacted versions of certain materials.
- The files include large quantities of commercial adult content, much of which was seized from Epstein’s devices but not created by Epstein or his associates.
Importantly, Blanche declined to go into specific details about many documents, citing privacy and legal safeguards.
Trump, the White House, and Political Sensitivities
One of the most scrutinized questions was whether files connected to President Donald Trump were fully released.
Blanche was direct:
“We did not protect President Trump. We did not protect or not protect anybody.”
He also clarified that the White House had no oversight over the DOJ’s review process.
A newly released document mentions that Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick planned a trip to Epstein’s island in 2012. Lutnick’s spokesperson pushed back strongly, stating he had limited interactions with Epstein, always in the presence of his wife, and has never been accused of wrongdoing.
A Look Back: What We Already Knew
Previously released files in December revealed that federal prosecutors learned in 2020 that Trump had flown on Epstein’s private jet more frequently in the 1990s than initially believed. However, Trump has never been accused of any wrongdoing related to Epstein.
The Bigger Picture
With this final release, the DOJ says the Epstein Files Transparency Act has been fully satisfied. Still, public debate, political scrutiny, and unanswered questions are unlikely to fade anytime soon.
As this story continues to evolve, transparency may be legally complete — but public curiosity clearly is not.
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