Epstein files live updates: The Trump Department of Justice has released additional records more than a month past the deadline.
The Justice Department has released an additional collection of documents pertaining to Jeffrey Epstein, occurring over two months subsequent to President Donald Trump enacting a law that mandated their disclosure.
What to know
EPSTEIN FILES: The Justice Department announced the release of over three million additional pages of records pertaining to Jeffrey Epstein, exceeding the deadline established by Congress for making these files public by more than a month.
WHAT'S IN THE FILES? Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche stated that the department is releasing more than three million pages, which include over 2,000 videos and 180,000 images. He noted that the files contain images captured by Epstein and others that were found on his devices, although he did not personally take them.
PAST DEADLINE: The Epstein Files Transparency Act, signed by President Donald Trump on November 19, mandated that the DOJ release its records related to Epstein within 30 days of the bill’s enactment.
Blanche denies that DOJ is concealing Epstein client list
Blanche dismissed the idea that the Justice Department possesses a concealed list of individuals associated with Jeffrey Epstein who have exploited women.
"There is a prevailing assumption that there exists a hidden collection of information regarding men that we are aware of, which we are either covering up or choosing not to prosecute. This is not accurate," Blanche informed reporters.
"I cannot confirm whether there are men who have abused these women. If we acquire information and evidence that enables us to prosecute them, rest assured we will. However, I do not believe that the public or you will uncover men within the Epstein files who have abused women," he continued.
The Department of Justice maintains that no individuals, including Trump, were shielded in the release of the Epstein files.
"I can assure you that we adhered to the statute and complied with the act," Blanche stated to reporters. "We did not provide protection to President Trump. We did not protect or fail to protect anyone."
In response to a query from journalists regarding the dissatisfaction expressed by victims concerning the Justice Department's procedure for disclosing Epstein files, Blanche remarked, "I feel the same way."
"If there is discontent with what is referred to as the entire process, I share that sentiment," the deputy attorney general conveyed to the press.
"Consider the fact that for an extended period, there was hardly any mention of Jeffrey Epstein, and then suddenly, it became the sole topic of discussion as we approached last spring and summer, culminating in the enactment of the Transparency Act," Blanche elaborated.
The Justice Department's release of Epstein files today encompasses nearly 3.5 million pages, along with 2,000 videos and 180,000 images.
During a press briefing, Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche indicated that the current release includes pornographic videos and images that were not necessarily captured by Epstein or his associates.
Blanche stated that the files released today, "contain significant amounts of commercial pornography and images that were confiscated from Epstein’s devices, which he did not personally capture, or that were not taken by individuals in his circle."
However, "some of the images do seem to have been taken by Mr. Epstein or by others in his vicinity," the deputy attorney general further noted.
The Justice Department has made additional records regarding Epstein available. Stay tuned as NBC News examines the files.
