Takeaways from the millions of newly released Epstein files
From: BBC
Millions of new files relating to the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein have been released by the US Department of Justice (DOJ), the largest number of documents shared by the government since a law mandated their release last year.
Three million pages, 180,000 images and 2,000 videos were posted publicly on Friday.
The release came six weeks after the department missed a deadline signed into law by US President Donald Trump that mandated all Epstein-related documents be shared with the public.
"Today's release marks the end of a very comprehensive document identification and review process to ensure transparency to the American people and compliance," Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche said.
The files include details about Jeffrey Epstein's time in prison - including a psychological report - and his death while incarcerated, along with investigative records on Ghislaine Maxwell, Epstein's associate who was convicted of helping him traffic underaged girls.
They also include emails between Epstein and high-profile figures.
Many of the emails and documents go back more than a decade, showcasing Epstein's relationships amid his legal troubles. He was convicted in 2008 in Florida for soliciting sex from a 14-year-old girl after coming to a controversial plea agreement with prosecutors.
He died in August 2019 while in jail on charges in a sprawling sex trafficking case.
It is uncertain if this is the end of the road for the Epstein documents release saga.
Blanche said Friday's drop "marks the end of a very comprehensive document identification and review process" signalling that as far as the US justice department is concerned, it's job over.
However, Democrats continue to argue that the department has withheld too many documents – possibly around two-and-a-half million – without proper justification.
Democratic Congressman Ro Khanna, who spearheaded the Epstein Files Transparency Act alongside Republican Congressman Thomas Massie, said he's wary.
"The DOJ said it identified over 6 million potentially responsive pages but is releasing only about 3.5 million after review and redactions," he said. "This raises questions as to why the rest are being withheld."
The DOJ had been under heavy scrutiny after missing the 19 December deadline to release all files as mandated in the Epstein Files Transparency Act, which passed Congress and was signed into law in November.
But still, whether this saga is over remains to be seen.
Many - including within Trump's base - have long believed there was a conspiracy to protect the rich and powerful who were connected to Epstein.
Speaking to ABC on Sunday, Blanche said that apart from a "small number of documents" that may be released if a judge approves it - the DOJ's review of Epstein-related files "is over".
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