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DOJ’s Initial Epstein Files Release Faces Bipartisan Blowback Over Redactions, Site Glitches

The rollout drew cross-party complaints about over‑redaction and completeness, with DOJ citing victim protections and planning more uploads within two weeks.

Overview

  • The Justice Department posted an initial cache described as several hundred thousand pages to meet the new Epstein Files Transparency Act, but a full release by the deadline did not occur.
  • Large portions of the materials were heavily redacted, including fully blacked‑out documents, which DOJ says is to protect more than 1,200 victims and other sensitive information.
  • The public website struggled at launch with queues, crashes and unreliable search, making it difficult for users to access and query the files.
  • New photos and documents include images of Bill Clinton, Michael Jackson, Diana Ross, Mick Jagger and Prince Andrew, and outlets note that being pictured or named does not establish wrongdoing.
  • Lawmakers from both parties called the disclosure incomplete and said they are evaluating legal options, while DOJ says additional files will be posted within about two weeks and the White House defends the effort as transparent.