USA Criticism of missing Epstein files: Secretary explains himself
The US Department of Justice published thousands of photos and documents on its website to shed light on the affair surrounding the deceased sex offender Jeffrey Epstein - but less than 24 hours later, the first of them were already missing again.
22.12.2025, 05:11
SDA
The ministry had removed a good dozen files from the site without comment. It was not until Sunday that Deputy Justice Minister Todd Blanche provided an explanation. It was about the protection of victims. His boss Pam Bondi, who has also been criticized, did not comment.
The ministry has also been criticized for the incomplete publication of the material and the redaction of many documents. Members of Congress want to obtain full publication.
On Friday afternoon, following massive public pressure, the Department of Justice initially uploaded four data sets containing thousands of files to its website. These included photos as well as documents. Much of it is completely redacted. Less than 24 hours later, the Democrats in the US Congress accused the Department of deleting a file. One photo had apparently been removed, according to a post on X.
Deleted files contained photo of Trump and Melania
Some of the photos in question are framed. One of the photos is older and shows the current US President Donald Trump with his wife Melania, accompanied by Epstein and his long-time confidante Ghislaine Maxwell. Former US President Bill Clinton can be seen in another picture.
A spot check by Deutsche Presse-Agentur revealed that a newer version of the first record from Saturday contained at least 16 fewer files than a previous version of the archive from Friday afternoon. In addition to the photo that Democrats say is missing, the newer version also no longer includes certain shots of a room with a massage table.
Trump knew Epstein well, as earlier photos show. However, there is no evidence of the Republican's involvement in the scandal. Trump himself had always denied any allegations of this kind. Although Trump appears sporadically in the documents that have now been published, initial analysis suggests that there is hardly any new information about the relationship between him and Epstein. The US President did not comment initially.
Blanche calls deletion of files because of Trump "laughable"
Blanche called the accusation that Trump can be seen in the photo and that it had therefore been deleted from the data set "laughable". The sudden deletion of the files had taken place at the request of those affected. The removed photos showed potential victims who had not previously been identified as such, he said on NBC News. The files had therefore been deleted in light of ongoing investigations. Blanche announced that they would be made publicly accessible again - he did not specify a date.
In an interview with NBC News, he also said that no information about President Trump had been redacted from the files - unless it had to be redacted due to legal requirements. This is the case, for example, when information relates to personal details of abuse victims or falls under attorney-client privilege.
Criticism from other quarters too
The Ministry of Justice also received criticism from the Capitol: a 119-page document with witness statements was completely blacked out without any explanation. It was only on Sunday that the Ministry published a version of the document with fewer redactions.
This is not enough for two US members of Congress - they want to force Justice Minister Bondi to publish the remaining Epstein files by means of a parliamentary dodge. Together with Democrat Ro Khanna, he is working on a corresponding draft, said Republican Congressman Thomas Massie on CBS News.
If the House of Representatives agrees, Bondi would have to pay a fine for every day that the requested documents are not released. Massie and Khanna accuse the ministry of flouting rules and breaking the law. Despite their different party affiliations, the two have often pushed for legislative initiatives.
In an interview with CBS News, Massie emphasized that although Blanche is currently putting his face forward for the inadequate work of the ministry, Bondi is responsible for processing the Epstein files. It had recently become surprisingly quiet around these. In an interview with "Vanity Fair", Trump's Chief of Staff Susie Wiles accused the Attorney General of having "completely failed" to process the Epstein files.
Why the Epstein files are so controversial
The Epstein case has long been a matter of public concern. For years, the multimillionaire from New York ran an abuse ring that victimized dozens of young women and minors. Over several years, Epstein is also alleged to have abused underage girls in New York and Florida himself. Epstein died in prison in 2019 at the age of 66.
The financier had excellent contacts in high society, which led to numerous speculations about the extent of the scandal. Time and again, the question arose as to which celebrities might have been involved in Epstein's machinations. A month ago, a law was finally passed ordering the publication of the files, which Trump had long resisted.
Clinton can often be found in the files
A number of celebrities appear in the photos that have now been published. Alongside rock star Mick Jagger, pop king Michael Jackson, who died in 2009, and actor Kevin Spacey, former President Clinton is photographed disproportionately often. He appears again and again in photos - for example, swimming in the pool with Maxwell. In other shots, the Democrat is seen with no reference to her or Epstein.
Clinton spokesman Angel Urena criticized the publication of the photos as a distraction by the White House. Urena wrote on the X platform that there were two groups of people. The first group knew nothing and broke off their relationship with Epstein before his criminal acts came to light. And then there was a second group who continued their relationship with him afterwards. "We belong to the first group."
Trump has repeatedly claimed in recent weeks that Clinton was on Epstein's private island. However, even Trump's chief of staff Susie Wiles contradicted this account.
