The U.S. Department of Justice’s initial disclosure of Jeffrey Epstein-related records has provoked anger from survivors and bipartisan lawmakers due to heavy blackouts and missing documents.
Enacted by President Donald Trump on November 19, 2025, the Epstein Files Transparency Act demanded public access to unclassified files within 30 days, save for victim protections. Friday’s tranche repeated old leaks, hid a full 119-page grand jury transcript, and saw 16 files vanish from the DOJ site, including one with Trump, Epstein, Melania Trump, and Ghislaine Maxwell.
Representatives Ro Khanna and Thomas Massie branded it incomplete, with Khanna eyeing impeachment or charges against Attorney General Pam Bondi: “Our law requires them to explain redactions. There is not a single explanation.” The White House hailed Trump’s transparency as unmatched.
Survivors decried the censored rollout. Marina Lacerda told the BBC, “We are a little disappointed that they’re now still lingering on and distracting us with other things. Some of the survivors are still nervous and sceptical about how they are going to release the rest of the files. We are very worried that it will still be redacted in the same way that it was today.”
Liz Stein accused the DOJ of defying the Act, saying, “We just want all of the evidence of these crimes out there.”
Photos revealed Maxwell near Downing Street, Epstein’s island, homes, and figures like Bill Clinton and Mick Jagger—none accused by victims. Deputy AG Todd Blanche insisted, “The only redactions being applied to the documents are those required by law – full stop,” and no shielding of names like Trump’s or Clinton’s. A redaction log is due soon, with more files expected.