New Epstein Files Released, Stir Political Debate in US

The US Justice Department on Friday released thousands of documents related to disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein. The move has once again sparked political debate around one of the most controversial cases in recent American history.

Most of the newly released documents are heavily blacked out, but many of them mention former president Bill Clinton. In contrast, the current President, Donald Trump, is mentioned only briefly in the files.

The documents include photos and investigation records linked to Epstein that refer to Bill Clinton several times. Justice Department officials publicly highlighted these references, bringing renewed attention to Clinton’s past interactions with Epstein. Clinton has admitted meeting Epstein in the past but has repeatedly said he had no knowledge of any criminal activities.

Clinton’s former deputy chief of staff, Angel Urena, accused the White House of trying to shift attention away from current issues. He said the focus on Clinton was an attempt to create political cover.

Trump’s name appears far less in the new documents. This has drawn notice because earlier Epstein records included flight logs and photos showing connections between Trump and Epstein during the 1990s and early 2000s. Trump has denied any wrongdoing and says he ended his relationship with Epstein before Epstein’s first conviction in 2008.

The release of these files was required by a law passed by Congress in November. The law ordered the government to make all Epstein-related records public after months of resistance from the administration.

However, many lawmakers say the release lacks transparency. Large portions of the documents are completely redacted. The Justice Department said it is still reviewing hundreds of thousands of pages and explained that names were removed to protect more than 1,200 victims and their families.

Democratic Senate leader Chuck Schumer said the documents represent only a small part of the evidence. Republican Congressman Thomas Massie, who helped write the disclosure law, also criticised the release, saying it failed to meet both legal and ethical standards.

The Epstein issue continues to be politically sensitive for Trump. A recent Reuters/Ipsos poll showed that Republican voters approve less of Trump’s handling of the Epstein matter compared to his overall approval, making it a potential challenge ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.

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