(NewsNation) — The Department of Justice released 300,000 files related to its Jeffrey Epstein investigation Friday afternoon, meeting a deadline mandated by Congress.
Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche told Fox News the department would not release the full Epstein files Friday as required by law, and will instead release a partial batch. Blanche attributed the delay to the need to redact identifying information about witnesses.
According to Blanche, once identifying information is secured, more documents will be released “over the next couple of weeks.”
In Friday’s release, President Trump was mentioned several times, ranging from real estate deals, his relationship with Epstein, and a document alleging Epstein brought a 14-year-old to Mar-a-lago and introduced her to Trump.
There was a litany of redactions, among them were including 119 pages from grand jury testimony and contact lists.
Files included photos of Epstein with Trump, late pop music star Michael Jackson, former President Bill Clinton, British entrepreneur and Virgin Group co-founder Richard Branson, along with Rolling Stones frontman Mick Jagger.
Dems criticize multiple redactions
Many materials were heavily redacted, with some documents amounting to little more than sheets of black boxes, and many photos protecting the identities of Epstein’s victims.
A number of the photos featured various women whose faces had a black box over them to redact their identities. A document listing more than 200 masseuses in connection with the Epstein cases was fully redacted, as well.
A total of 119 pages of the New York grand jury testimony were fully redacted, leading to criticism from a variety of Democrats, including Rep. Ro Khanna, D-Calif.
In a letter to lawmakers, Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche wrote that more than 200 attorneys in the DOJ worked on the review process to determine what redactions were required.
“The DOJ’s document dump of hundreds of thousands of pages failed to comply with the law authored by @RepThomasMassie and me,” Khanna alleged on X.
In response, Rep. Thomas Massie, D-Ky., wrote: “Unfortunately, today’s document release by @AGPamBondi and @DAGToddBlanche grossly fails to comply with both the spirit and the letter of the law that @realDonaldTrump signed just 30 days ago. @RepRoKhanna is correct.”
Trump, Clinton, Prince Andrew on flight logs: Docs
According to the documents released, Trump’s name, along with those of his ex-wife, Marla Maples, and his daughter, Tiffany, were listed on the flight logs for flights that traveled between Palm Beach International Airport and Reagan National Airport in Washington, D.C.
They were also listed on the flight logs for travel between Reagan National and Teterboro Airport in Bergen County, New Jersey. Clinton’s name was also found on the flight log from a 2002 flight between Miami and White Plains, New York, documents show.
Other flight logs show that Prince Andrew was among those listed among travelers who flew between the U.S. Virgin Islands and Palm Beach International Airport in 1999.
Both President Trump and former President Clinton were seen in various photos with different women. Specifically regarding Clinton, some of the women he was photographed with had their identities redacted.
Video supports Epstein suicide conclusion
Review of the footage conducted by the FBI shows that Epstein was locked in his cell at the Special Housing Unit at around 10:40 p.m. Aug. 19, 2019, until around 6:30 a.m. the next morning. It also shows that no one entered the cell between those hours and that no minutes within the hours of video footage were missing.
The Department of Justice’s Inspector General said in 2023 that if anyone had entered the cell, they would have been captured on video surveillance.
During the FBI review, investigators enhanced the relevant footage by increasing its contrast, balancing the color, and improving its sharpness for greater clarity and viewability.
NewsNation partner The Hill contributed to this report. Follow live updates below:
Modeling scout allegedly procured underage girls for Epstein
In a case between a plaintiff referred to as MJ v Jeffey Epstein and Sarah Kellen, modeling scout Jean Luc Brunel was alleged to be procuring underage girls.
“… Brunel left messages for Epstein that were taken by Epstein’s staff such as “He has a teacher for you how to speak Russian. She is 2×8 years old not blonde: Lessons are free and you can have 1st today if you call”. Exhibit 3. In light of the circumstances of the case, this appeared to be an encrypted message suggesting that Brunel might have been procuring two eight-yearold girls for Epstein to sexually abuse.
“According to widely circulated press reports, Brunel is in his sixties and has a reputation throughout the world (and especially in the modeling industry) as a cocaine addict that has for years molested children through modeling agencies while acting as their agent. Brunel is also someone that visited Epstein on approximately 67 occasions while Epstein was in jail. Brunel currently runs the modeling agency MC2, a company for which Epstein provides financial support.
“In view of this information suggesting Brunel could provide significant evidence of Epstein’s trafficking in young girls for sexual abuse, Edwards had Brunel served in New York for deposition. Before the deposition took place, Brunel’s attorney (Tama Kudman of West Palm Beach) contacted Edwards to delay the deposition date. Eventually Kudman informed Edwards in January 2009 that Brunel had left the country and was back in France with no plans to return. This information was untrue; Brunel was actually staying with Epstein in West Palm Beach as evidenced by Epstein’s probation file where Epstein was required to note is house guests.”
Rep. Luna frustrated with DOJ release
Rep. Anna Paulina Luna, R-Fla., a member of the House Oversight Committee who chaired the task force on declassifying federal secrets, joined NewsNation as questions grow over the Justice Department’s release of the Epstein files.
14-year-old girl’s allegedly ‘uncomfortable’ encounter with Trump, Epstein
In the case of Jane Doe v Indyke (the estate of Jeffrey Epstein), it is alleged by Doe that when she was 14, she was taken to Mar-a-Lago.
Celebrities in 300,000 files released
The Department of Justice has begun releasing documents related to its Jeffrey Epstein investigation Friday afternoon, meeting a deadline mandated by Congress.
Rep. Thomas Massie responds to Rep. Ro Khanna
The Democratic representative from Kentucky criticized the Trump administration, in conjunction with Rep. Ro Khanna.
Grand jury testimony redacted
A total of 119 pages of the New York grand jury testimony are fully redacted, leading to criticism from a variety of Democrats, including Rep. Ro Khanna.
Maxwell on Trump and Epstein relationship
” I don’t know how they met, and I don’t know how they became friends. I certainly saw them together and I remember the few times I observed them together, but they were friendly. I mean, they seemed friendly,” Maxwell told Blanche.
After her interview with Blanche, Maxwell was moved from the low-security federal prison in Florida to a minimum-security prison camp in Texas to continue serving a 20-year sentence for her 2021 conviction on allegations that she lured teenage girls to be sexually abused by Epstein.
Maxwell on her relationship with Trump
In an interview from June 2025, United States Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche asked Maxwell about her relationship with Trump.
” Well, I just want to say for my relationship with President Trump relationship’s a big word — but I just want to say that I met him or I believe I may have, because of my father in the ’90s.
“Trump was always very cordial and very kind to me. And I just want to say that I admire his extraordinary achievement in becoming the president now. And I like him, and I’ve always liked him. So that is the sum and substance of my entire relationship with him.”
Trump pictured alongside women
The president is pictured alongside multiple women, some of whom are in swimwear.
More photos from the release
The second image shows a mugshot of Epstein from Palm Beach Police Department on June 28, 2006.
AG Bondi demanded all Epstein docs in February
Attorney General Pam Bondi sent a letter to FBI Director Kash Patel on Feb. 27, 2025, outlining her frustration with not yet receiving all of the documents.
Subsequently, she demanded all of the files on her desk by 8 a.m. the following day.
President Donald Trump, Bill Clinton, Prince Andrew’s names found on Epstein flight logs: Docs
President Donald Trump’s name appears on flight logs from Jeffrey Epstein’s private plane, according to documents that were released Friday among 300,000 files connected to the Epstein investigation.
Trump’s name, along with those of his ex-wife, Marla Maples, and his daughter, Tiffany, were listed on the flight logs for flights that traveled between Palm Beach International Airport to Reagan National Airport in Washington, D.C.
They were also listed on the flight logs for travel between Reagan National and Teterboro Airport in Bergen County, New Jersey.
Former President Bill Clinton’s name was also found on the flight log from a 2002 flight between Miami and White Plains, New York, documents show.
Other flight logs show that Prince Andrew was among those listed among travelers who flew between the U.S. Virgin Islands to Palm Beach International Airport in 1999.
Video footage supports conclusion Jeffrey Epstein died by suicide in prison cell
Video released on Friday as part of the 300,000 files linked to the Jeffrey Epstein investigation supports the conclusion that Epstein died by suicide in his prison cell where he was being held at the time of his death.
Review of the footage conducted by the FBI shows that Epstein was locked in his cell at the Special Housing Unit at around 10:40 p.m. on Aug. 19, 2019, until around 6:30 a.m. the next morning. It also shows that no one entered the cell between those hours and that no minutes within the hours of video footage were missing.
The Department of Justice’s Inspector General said in 2023 that if anyone had entered the cell, they would have been captured on video surveillance.
During the FBI review, investigators enhanced the relevant footage by increasing its contrast, balancing the color, and improving its sharpness for greater clarity and viewability.
Michael Jackson, Mick Jagger, Richard Branson among photos in released Epstein files
Among the photos released as part of the 300,000 Jeffrey Epstein investigation files released on Friday were images including entertainers, former U.S. presidents and other celebrities.
Epstein posed for the photos with the late pop music star Michael Jackson, former President Bill Clinton, British entrepreneur and Virgin Group co-founder Richard Branson, along with Rolling Stones frontman Mick Jagger.
Other photos included in the Friday file release were of Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates, convicted sex trafficker Ghislaine Maxwell.
Earlier this week, Democrats on the House Oversight Committee released previously unseen photos from the Epstein estate. Democrats said they had received 95,000 photos.
Trump administration has done more for Epstein victims than Democrats: White House
After Democrats criticized the fact that the entirety of the documents linked to the Jeffrey Epstein investigation were not released by a Friday deadline, the White House pushed back, instead casting blame on Democrats.
In a prepared statement, White House spokeswoman Abigail Jackson characterized the Trump administration as being “the most transparent in history.”
Officials said Friday that 300,000 files were released on Friday, including photos, legal documents, videos and court records with the names of victims redacted.
“By releasing thousands of pages of documents, cooperating with the House Oversight Committee’s subpoena request, and President Trump recently calling for further investigations into Epstein’s Democrat friends, the Trump Administration has done more for the victims than Democrats ever have,” Jackson said.
“And while President Trump is delivering on his promises, Democrats like Hakeem Jeffries and Stacey Plaskett have yet to explain why they were soliciting money and meetings from Epstein after he was a convicted sex offender. The American people deserve answers.”
‘Clear deadline’ needed for full Epstein document release: Ro Khanna
California Democratic U.S. Rep. Ro Khanna said Friday it is “disappointing” that the full lot of documents related to the Jeffrey Epstein investigation were not released on time in compliance with the law.
Lawmakers were facing a Dec. 19 deadline to release all of the documents and other materials related to the Epstein probe. Instead, officials said that about 300,000 files were released, including photos, court documents and and other records tied to the investigation. Victims’ names were redacted in the files.
“While it’s clear they’re trying at the very deadline to meet the deadline, they should have been able to do more,” Khanna said. “And if they couldn’t do it, they should have met with the survivors, lawyers or the Oversight Committee or to explain to me and (Kentucky U.S. Rep. Thomas) Massie to explain why not.”
Khanna said a “clear timeline” is needed for when the remainder of the documents will be released. Khanna also said that Republicans owe lawmakers an explanation of why all of the documents were not released.
DOJ begins release of Epstein materials
The Justice Department has released a trove of records tied to the Jeffrey Epstein investigation, complying with a December 19 deadline set by the Epstein Files Transparency Act.
The drop could include previously unseen material, though much of the record related to Epstein has already been made public through congressional disclosures and court proceedings.
Democrats have been slowly releasing photos from Epstein’s estate featuring several prominent figures
Democrats on the House Oversight Committee have been releasing previously unseen photographs from Jeffrey Epstein’s case files over the last week. The photos featured Bill Gates, Google founder Sergey Brin, filmmaker Woody Allen, philosopher Noam Chomsky and former Trump adviser Steve Bannon.
The lawmakers posted on social media last week that they received 95,000 photos. The trove of materials did not include any context as to when or where the photos were taken. Some of those pictured had previously been linked to Epstein.
Lawmakers react to DOJ failing to release full Epstein docs by Friday’s deadline
Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle have been demanding a full drop of the Epstein docs, saying the DOJ’s decision to release them piecemeal violates the law.
Sen. Chuck Schumer, D-NY, said in a statement that “The law Congress passed and President Trump signed was clear as can be — the Trump administration had 30 days to release ALL the Epstein files, not just some. Failing to do so is breaking the law. This just shows the Department of Justice, Donald Trump, and (Attorney General) Pam Bondi are hellbent on hiding the truth.”
Republican Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene from Georgia added to the call for release posting “My goodness, what is in the Epstein files? Release all the files. It’s literally the law.”
In a post on X, Rep. Jasmine Crockett, D-Texas, said, “Today is the deadline to release the Epstein files. The DOJ is refusing to comply. This is about justice for survivors and holding participants and co-conspirators accountable. The Epstein Files Act is the law, not a suggestion. Release the files. Immediately.”
Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., said on X, “Time’s up. Release the files.” In another post, he put up a copy of the Epstein Files Transparency Act, highlighting the 30-day deadline.
The Democratic Party posted, “Trump’s DOJ will not comply with today’s release deadline for the Epstein files. Per Trump’s deputy AG, the full release will instead take place “over the next couple weeks.” All files were required by law to be released today.
Lawmakers say they are examining all legal options if DOJ fails to produce all Epstein docs Friday
Rep. Robert Garcia, D-Calif., and Jamie Raskin, D-Md., the top Democrats on the House Oversight and Judiciary committees, released a statement saying they will look into legal options after the DOJ said it will not release all of the Epstein files by Friday’s deadline.
“Donald Trump and the Department of Justice are now violating federal law as they continue covering up the facts and the evidence about Jeffrey Epstein’s decades-long, billion-dollar, international sex trafficking ring. For months, Pam Bondi has denied survivors the transparency and accountability they have demanded and deserve and has defied the Oversight Committee’s subpoena. The Department of Justice is now making clear it intends to defy Congress itself, even as it gives star treatment to Epstein’s convicted co-conspirator, Ghislaine Maxwell.”
“Courts around the country have repeatedly intervened when this Administration has broken the law. We are now examining all legal options in the face of this violation of federal law. The survivors of this nightmare deserve justice, the co-conspirators must be held accountable, and the American people deserve complete transparency from DOJ,” they said.
Rep. Massie says Epstein docs will reveal more than 20 men accused of sex crimes
Ahead of the expected document release, Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., said in a video posted on X Friday that “ there are at least 20 names of men who are accused of sex crimes in the possession of the FBI.”
“If we get a large production on December 19th and it does not contain a single name of any male that’s accused of a sex crime or sex trafficking or a rape, or all of these things, then we know they haven’t produced all of the documents. It’s that simple.”
Massie was a lead sponsor of the Epstein Files Transparency Act, the legislation that mandated the Department of Justice release all government records related to Epstein.