The US Department of Justice has released the first tranche of documents related to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, following the passage of a congressional mandate requiring the files to be made public. The release, which includes photos, investigative records and court documents, represents only a portion of the material, with several hundred thousand pages still under review.
Among the individuals named or pictured in the initial release are former US President Bill Clinton, US President Donald Trump, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, and entertainers including Michael Jackson, Mick Jagger, Diana Ross and Chris Tucker. Officials have emphasized that being named or appearing in the documents does not indicate wrongdoing, and many of those referenced have denied any involvement in Epstein’s crimes.
The Justice Department acknowledged it was unable to meet the full deadline set by Congress. Many of the released documents remain heavily redacted, including entire grand jury files. While the law allows redactions to protect victims or ongoing investigations, the department has not yet provided detailed explanations for those redactions.
Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche said “several hundred thousand pages” were released on Friday, with “several hundred thousand more” expected in the coming weeks. He said each document is being vetted to ensure victim identities remain protected.
Lawmakers from both parties have criticized the delay. Democratic Congressman Ro Khanna said the release failed to comply with the law and warned that Congress may pursue further action against the Justice Department. Khanna and Republican Congressman Thomas Massie jointly pushed the Epstein Files Transparency Act, despite initial opposition from President Trump.
Clinton and Trump References
Several photos released depict Bill Clinton in social settings, including images of him swimming and relaxing in a hot tub. Clinton was photographed with Epstein multiple times in the 1990s and early 2000s, before Epstein’s first arrest. Clinton has denied any knowledge of Epstein’s sex crimes and has never been accused of wrongdoing by Epstein’s victims.
A spokesperson for Clinton dismissed the significance of the photos, calling them decades old and reiterating that Clinton severed ties with Epstein before his crimes became public.
Court documents released also include limited references to President Trump. One filing alleges Epstein introduced Trump to a 14-year-old girl at Mar-a-Lago in the 1990s, describing a brief interaction that made the girl uncomfortable. The filing makes no accusation against Trump, and Epstein’s victims have not alleged wrongdoing by him. Trump has previously acknowledged a past friendship with Epstein but says they fell out in 2004.
Royal and Celebrity Connections
A photo in the release appears to show Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor lying across several people with faces redacted, while Ghislaine Maxwell stands behind them. Andrew has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing or knowledge of Epstein’s criminal behavior.
Other newly released images show Epstein with Michael Jackson, as well as photos featuring Jackson alongside Clinton and Diana Ross.
Additional images include Mick Jagger posing with Clinton and Chris Tucker appearing in multiple settings, including alongside Maxwell. The context, location and dates of many photos remain unclear.
The BBC has contacted representatives for several celebrities named in the files for comment.
Early Accuser’s Claims
The release also includes a 1996 FBI report from artist Maria Farmer, one of Epstein’s earliest accusers. Farmer said Epstein stole and sold photographs of her underage sisters and threatened to burn her house down if she reported him. Though her name is redacted, Farmer confirmed the account was hers and said she feels vindicated after nearly 30 years.
“I feel redeemed,” she said.
