Victims denounce heavy blackouts
Jeffrey Epstein victims expressed fury over the US government’s release of partially disclosed documents from cases against the late sex offender, featuring heavily redacted pages and blacked-out photos. Marina Lacerda, abused at age 14 and a key 2019 witness, told MS NOW the redactions felt like another slap in the face, expecting far more substantial information. She told The New York Times many photos seemed irrelevant.
Jess Michaels searched hours for her victim’s statement and FBI tipline call records but found neither, asking CNN if this represents the government’s best effort despite congressional action. Marijke Chartouni, abused at 20, questioned transparency to The New York Times, asking where openness exists amid such extensive redactions.
Missing files fuel speculation
US media reported at least 16 files from the online tranche disappeared from the public webpage, including a photograph showing President Donald Trump, intensifying suspicions about withheld content and lack of notification. The Department of Justice began releases on Friday to comply with November’s congressional law mandating Epstein file disclosure despite Trump’s prior efforts to keep them sealed.
Tens of thousands of pages offered minimal new insights into Epstein’s crimes or lenient prosecutorial decisions. Key omissions included FBI victim interviews and internal DOJ memos on charging. A 119-page “Grand Jury-NY” document from 2019 federal investigations appeared entirely blacked out.
Celebrity photos without context
Photos from Friday’s “DOJ Disclosures” folder, seized from Epstein’s New York and US Virgin Islands homes, featured Bill Clinton, Mick Jagger, Michael Jackson, Diana Ross, Kevin Spacey, Chris Tucker, Richard Branson, Peter Mandelson, and Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor with Epstein or others. Clinton appears in a pool with Ghislaine Maxwell and hot tub scenes; Andrew lies across women’s laps with Maxwell behind. Undated and context-free, none accuse these figures of wrongdoing.
Clinton’s spokesperson accused the White House of scapegoating via old grainy photos. Trump appears minimally, with one 2020 court document alleging Epstein brought a 14-year-old to Mar-a-Lago, elbowing Trump who smiled and nodded – no direct accusation against him.
Political firestorm erupts
Republican Rep. Thomas Massie, who championed the transparency law, accused the White House on social media of failing both spirit and letter of the Trump-signed legislation requiring public posting by Friday, limited only by legal and victim privacy. Democrats on the House Oversight Committee highlighted the missing Trump photo, demanding transparency. Senate leader Chuck Schumer called it potentially America’s biggest cover-up.
DOJ Deputy AG Todd Blanche denied withholding to protect Trump on ABC, stating no holdbacks. DOJ posted on X that photos continue review and redaction cautiously. Saturday releases included less-redacted grand jury transcripts identifying prosecutors and FBI agents.
Redaction process under scrutiny
Over 550 pages fully redacted in initial batch per CBS News, including 255 consecutive pages and the 119-page grand jury transcript later partially released Saturday. Law permits redactions for victim privacy, child abuse material, active investigations, classified info, privileges. Deputy AG Blanche’s letter detailed 200+ lawyers reviewing since Thanksgiving, citing duplicates and grand jury sensitivities.
Sources told CNN National Security Division lawyers, not typical processors, handled redactions amid unclear guidance, dropping other work – echoing prior FBI overtime shifts. Victims report no DOJ outreach. Lawmakers like Reps. Ro Khanna and Massie vow pushing for unredacted documents; Democrats explore court, impeachment, subpoenas.
Maria Farmer confirmed her 1996 FBI child sex abuse tip against Epstein, feeling redeemed yet sorrowful for ignored victims. Grand jury transcripts detail paid underage sex acts, recruitment.
DOJ promises rolling releases through holidays despite missing Friday deadline, defending as legally required transparency under Trump, Bondi, Patel – contrasting past Democrat refusals.
Sources: Al Jazeera/CNN
Also read: Epstein grand jury records from 2019 case can be released
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