Trump administration releases Epstein files after months of wrangling and public outcry – live | Jeffrey Epstein

The US Department of Justice has begun releasing the long-awaited “Epstein files” after months of political wrangling, public fury and repeated attempts to divert attention from the files. Donald TrumpTies to the late sex and financial offender Jeffrey Epstein.

The release comes after Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche said the Justice Department would release “several hundred thousand documents” from the Epstein files on Friday, but hinted that some could be withheld – at least temporarily – citing the need to protect victims.

“I expect we will release more documents in the coming weeks,” he added.

House Democrats, led by Robert Garcia And Jamie Raskincondemned the Trump administration’s delay in releasing all Epstein files, calling it a violation of federal law and vowed to pursue legal options.

The scandal has dominated Washington for months, dogging the US president since he returned to the White House for a second term, dispersing his conservative base and sparking accusations of an attempted “cover-up” from across the political spectrum.

Some of the most sought-after documents will concern the president’s relationship with Epstein, who killed himself in a Manhattan jail while awaiting trial on federal sex trafficking charges in 2019. Trump and Epstein were close friends for years before falling out.

Trump is not accused of any wrongdoing. But concerns have been raised about how, why and when his relationship with Epstein broke down, and what Trump knew about Epstein’s behavior. Trump and his allies have denied knowledge of Epstein’s behavior, and no evidence has suggested he participated in Epstein’s trafficking operation.