The Epstein Files Transparency Act, passed by Congress and signed by Trump, compels the Justice Department to release “all unclassified records, documents, communications and investigative materials” in its possession that relate to the investigation and prosecution of Epstein.
The law specifically requires the government to release material related to Maxwell, travel records and flight logs, individuals including government officials referenced in connection with Epstein’s criminal activities or plea agreements, any entities with known or alleged ties to Epstein’s trafficking or financial networks, and any immunity deals and non-prosecution agreements involving Epstein and his associates.
But it permits the government to withhold victims’ personal information, as well as any material that might jeopardise an ongoing investigation.
Blanche said his department had been sifting through the hundreds of thousands of documents to ensure that victims’ identities were “completely protected”.
Epstein survivor Danielle Bensky told TV network MS-NOW she felt “nervous” about Blanche’s statement that the files would be released over coming weeks, but acknowledged some survivors did not think it was realistic that all documents would be made public today.
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“The fact that we still haven’t seen anything feels nerve-wracking,” she said.
Republican congressman Thomas Massie, who led the push in Congress to make the files public, said in a long social media video that victims’ lawyers collectively knew of 20 men accused of sex crimes in witness testimony possessed by the FBI.
He said if the documents released on Saturday did not contain the names of any men accused of criminal activity, “then we know they haven’t produced all the documents – it’s that simple”.
Trump is scheduled to speak about the economy at a rally in North Carolina on Friday night, US time, and then fly directly to his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida for the Christmas break until the new year.
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