WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. – A top Justice Department official, Todd Blanche, spoke out on Sunday, defending the department’s approach to releasing files related to Jeffrey Epstein. The department is carefully releasing the documents, as required by law, to protect the privacy of victims of the disgraced financier.
Blanche assured that the Justice Department is committed to fulfilling its legal duty. He emphasized the need for a thoughtful process when releasing sensitive information contained within the thousands of documents.
The partial release of files on Friday has brought criticism from some Democrats, who accuse the administration of hiding information.
Blanche refuted this, saying the priority is to protect the victims involved. He stated that those criticizing the pace of release are the same people who don’t seem to care about protecting the victims.
The released files include photos, interviews, and court records, but some key records, like FBI interviews with survivors and internal memos, are still under review. These records are important to understanding how the case was handled and why Epstein received a lenient sentence in 2008.
Trump had a friendship with Epstein that ended before Epstein’s arrest. While Trump has not been accused of any wrongdoing, he has stated that there is nothing of interest in the files.
In 2019, federal prosecutors charged Epstein with sex trafficking, but he died in jail after his arrest.
Some Democrat lawmakers are critical with Trump and the Justice Department for a partial release.
Rep. Jamie Raskin, argued that the Justice Department is obstructing the implementation of the law mandating the release of the documents not because it wants to protect the Epstein victims.
Blanche also addressed the removal of some files from the public webpage, including a photo of Trump with Epstein and others. He explained that these files contained images of victims and will be reposted after the victims are protected.
The thousands of released records offer the most detailed look to date at the government’s investigation into Epstein’s crimes. However, the redactions in the files have fueled calls for more transparency.
Blanche said the department is still reviewing documents and has identified more potential victims.
He also defended the decision to transfer Ghislaine Maxwell, Epstein’s former girlfriend, to a less restrictive prison for her safety, citing numerous threats against her life. Maxwell is serving a 20-year sentence for sex trafficking.
Meanwhile, some lawmakers have suggested the possibility of impeachment against Attorney General Pam Bondi, accusing the Justice Department of failing to comply with the Epstein Files Transparency Act.
Blanche dismissed the impeachment talk, saying the department is doing everything it can to follow the law.
