Among the millions of files still under review, recent references to former US President Donald Trump can be found in the last 30,000 documents released by the US Justice Department as part of the Jeffrey Epstein case, NBC News reported. These documents contain mentions that reinforce the impression of closeness between Trump and Epstein, who was convicted of sexual abuse and human trafficking. The publication of this material has led to extensive scrutiny because some of these files contained statements that were deemed “false” and “sensational allegations against the President,” according to the current administration, which stressed that Trump is not facing criminal charges in connection with this case, although he has previously spoken out against the distribution of certain documents.
The Justice Department announced Wednesday that it had discovered “more than one million additional documents” whose possible connection to the Epstein file is still being analyzed. This emerges from the information that the federal authority announced through its account on the social network
As stated by the Justice Department and reported by NBC News, the volume of material found has resulted in the public distribution of these documents being delayed for “several additional weeks.” The portfolio, currently led by Pam Bondi, warned in its statement that the volume of files required intensive work and is coordinating a legal review to suppress sensitive information that could affect the privacy and safety of victims and potential witnesses. “We have lawyers who are working tirelessly to review and make the legally necessary changes to protect victims,” said the message posted on social media.
The process of releasing documentation related to the case is part of compliance with the Transparency Act, which was passed by Congress last month and ratified by President Trump and set a Dec. 19 deadline for the disclosure of all unclassified materials in the Justice Department’s possession related to Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell. This rule provides exceptions for the preservation of the personal data of crime survivors and other specifically defined categories.
Epstein was arrested in July 2019 and charged with sexual abuse and human trafficking of minors in the early 21st century. This businessman, known for his connections with relevant public figures – such as Prince Andrew of the United Kingdom, former President Bill Clinton or then President Trump – was found hanging in his cell shortly after his arrest. His death increased public interest and demands for transparency regarding archives and investigations into his activities and possible collaborators.
As NBC News details, Trump’s appearance in the latest documents reveals a new focus in the trial, but the government itself has reiterated that no charges have been filed against him for these events and that false or unfounded information may have been included in the material under investigation before its release.
The promise to release the files “as quickly as possible” comes with a commitment to “continue to fully comply with federal law and President Trump’s order releasing the files,” the Justice Department said in a statement. The compilation and analysis of this extensive set of documents requires particularly careful legal review and amendment tasks, as the law requires the protection of details that could identify victims or witnesses and the reservation of other information that is considered confidential under current standards.
The implications of the breadth of documentation found have been the subject of debate since the judiciary began releasing some of the material in regular shipments. The Justice Department stressed, as required by law, that transparency must be balanced with the protection of those affected by the illegal activities under investigation, which determines the pace and scope of disclosures.
So far, the federal administration has released tens of thousands of files related to the investigations into Epstein and Maxwell, responding to pressure from Congress and public opinion to shed light on the connections and extent of the sex crimes network sponsored by the tycoon. NBC News said the inclusion of famous names and expectations about the contents of the documents continue to draw national and international attention to the case, while the review and eventual dissemination of each batch continues to occur under the supervision of legal authorities and specialized teams.
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