Deputy Justice Minister Blanche explained that not all files would be made accessible because the identity of the victims had to be protected on each page. The Democratic Party spoke of a cover-up – also because further documents are not expected to be published until the coming weeks.
New information on Clinton – little about Trump
There are few new details about Trump’s ties to Epstein. However, the documents contain new information about former President Clinton. A photo shows him in a swimming pool with Epstein’s partner Ghislaine Maxwell. A spokesman explained in the online portal X that Clinton had broken off contact with Epstein before his criminal actions became known. Trump also denies knowing about Epstein’s crimes.
President Trump and leading Republicans had long blocked the release of the files. Only after great pressure did Trump give in. A law passed by Congress in November gave the Justice Department 30 days to release all files.
Not everything has to be published
However, the Ministry of Justice is allowed by law to continue to withhold recordings and documents relating to sexual abuse. Files that, according to the law, “represent a clearly unjustified invasion of privacy” can also be excluded from publication. Publication of information that would jeopardize possible federal investigations or legal proceedings, or whose secrecy is in the interests of national defense or foreign policy, may also be stopped.
The authenticity of the photos could not initially be independently verified. It also remained unclear how the thousands of photos were selected. When the photos were taken, who took them and where the Ministry of Justice got them from also initially remained unclear.
Multimillionaire Epstein had run an abuse ring for years that exploited dozens of young women and minors. He was well connected in the highest circles. A first trial against him ended in 2018 with 18 months in prison. In 2019, Epstein was arrested again and a month later he was found dead in his cell.
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This message was sent on December 20th, 2025 on the Deutschlandfunk program.