The Trump administration on Friday initiated the public release of long-sealed court documents related to the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
The move fulfills a high-profile campaign promise to increase transparency around the disgraced financier’s high-society connections.
It follows an executive order signed by American President, Donald Trump earlier this week, which directed the Department of Justice to expedite the declassification of files linked to the decade-long investigation into Epstein’s sex-trafficking ring.
“The American people have a right to know the truth,” Trump stated during a brief appearance at the White House.
The initial batch of documents, totaling several hundred pages, stems from a 2015 civil lawsuit filed by victim Virginia Giuffre against Epstein’s associate Ghislaine Maxwell.
While some of these files had been partially unsealed in 2024, the new release includes previously redacted names of "associates," "witnesses," and individuals who traveled on Epstein’s private aircraft, the "Lolita Express."
Legal analysts noted that while the appearance of a name in the files does not necessarily imply criminal wrongdoing, the release provides a more granular look at the social and financial web Epstein cultivated among the global elite.
The Department of Justice confirmed that a specialized task force is reviewing the remaining documents to ensure that the identities of victims remain protected.
Attorney General Pam Bondi emphasized that the release would be conducted in phases to comply with court orders and privacy laws.
“Our priority is twofold: transparency for the public and protection for the survivors,” Bondi said in a statement.
The release has sent shockwaves through political and social circles in Washington and New York.
While transparency advocates have hailed the move as a long-overdue step toward accountability, critics have questioned the timing of the release, suggesting it may be used to target political opponents.
The White House has denied any political motivation, stating that the release is part of a broader effort to restore trust in federal institutions.
The administration has indicated that subsequent tranches of documents will be released over the coming weeks as the declassification process continues.
