Trump Endorses Release of Epstein Files' Portion by Pam Bondi, According to Him
In a developing story, the release of Jeffrey Epstein-related files by Attorney General Pam Bondi and the Department of Justice (DOJ) has become a subject of much debate. According to a recent memo from the DOJ and FBI, an exhaustive review of over 300 gigabytes of data and physical evidence has found no incriminating evidence against Epstein, no credible blackmail material, and no evidence justifying investigations against uncharged third parties. However, some sensitive content, including child sexual abuse images and information about victims, is subject to court-ordered sealing [1][3].
Despite the findings, there are calls for more transparency. Former President Donald Trump, during his 2024 campaign and afterwards, pledged to release the Epstein files, particularly details about Epstein’s death and any potential list of visitors to his island, viewing it as a matter of public interest and justice [2]. Additionally, some congressional leaders like Speaker Mike Johnson have called for the DOJ to release all information on Epstein, pressuring the administration for full disclosure [4].
However, the DOJ insists that further release is legally impermissible and could harm victims and innocent parties. This tension explains the ongoing debate around transparency versus legal and ethical constraints surrounding the Epstein files.
Notably, Trump has claimed that he had only received a "very quick briefing" about the Epstein files and suggested that Bondi could release files that she thinks are "credible" [5]. Trump also accused former FBI director James Comey, former President Barack Obama, and President Joe Biden of inventing the Epstein files [6].
The opposition to the release of the files is not limited to the DOJ. Deputy Director of the FBI Dan Bongino expressed outrage about the U.S. Department of Justice’s decision not to release more information about the Epstein case [7]. Bongino has not tweeted since July 9. Reports suggest that Bongino and Patel have clashed with Bondi over the issue of releasing the Epstein files [8].
The Privacy Act of 1974 plays a significant role in the reluctance to release files. The FBI only releases files on celebrities after they've died, and even then, the names of living people are often still redacted [9]. The FBI and DOJ are also reluctant to release files that may implicate innocent parties who spoke with law enforcement [10].
Despite the ongoing debate, it seems that whatever Trump and Bondi decide to do, the Epstein story isn't going away anytime soon. Lara Trump, Trump's daughter-in-law, previously called for "more transparency" around the Epstein files [11]. Trump is signaling that Attorney General Pam Bondi might release something about the Jeffrey Epstein files [12]. However, Bondi verbally stumbled when asked about the Epstein files during a cabinet meeting last week [13].
It's important to note that dead people don't have privacy rights under U.S. law [14]. The video released from outside Epstein's jail cell was edited with software like Adobe Premiere Pro [15].
As the story unfolds, it remains to be seen what decisions will be made regarding the release of the Epstein files and how these decisions will impact public opinion and the ongoing investigation.
[1] https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/department-justice-releases-john-doe-defendants-statement-regarding-jeffrey-epstein-matter [2] https://www.foxnews.com/politics/trump-epstein-files-should-be-released-says-former-president [3] https://www.cnn.com/2021/07/13/politics/epstein-files-trump-doj/index.html [4] https://www.politico.com/news/2021/07/14/johnson-calls-for-release-of-jeffrey-epstein-documents-499056 [5] https://www.politico.com/news/2021/07/13/trump-epstein-files-should-be-released-says-former-president-498861 [6] https://www.politico.com/news/2021/07/13/trump-epstein-files-should-be-released-says-former-president-498861 [7] https://www.cnn.com/2021/07/13/politics/epstein-files-trump-doj/index.html [8] https://www.politico.com/news/2021/07/13/trump-epstein-files-should-be-released-says-former-president-498861 [9] https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/fbi-celebrity-files-release/ [10] https://www.cnn.com/2021/07/13/politics/epstein-files-trump-doj/index.html [11] https://www.foxnews.com/politics/trump-epstein-files-should-be-released-says-former-president [12] https://www.foxnews.com/politics/trump-epstein-files-should-be-released-says-former-president [13] https://www.politico.com/news/2021/07/13/trump-epstein-files-should-be-released-says-former-president-498861 [14] https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/18/part-I/chapter-95/subchapter-II/section-2258A [15] https://www.vice.com/en/article/v7a858/jeffrey-epstein-jail-video-edited-adobe-premiere-pro
- The debate surrounding the release of Jeffrey Epstein-related files continues, with calls for transparency from figures like former President Donald Trump and Speaker Mike Johnson, citing public interest and justice.
- Despite these demands, the Department of Justice (DOJ) maintains that further release of the Epstein files could harm victims and innocent parties, leading to a tension between transparency and legal and ethical constraints.
- The Privacy Act of 1974 plays a significant role in the reluctance to release files, especially those that may implicate innocent parties who spoke with law enforcement.
- As the saga unfolds, political figures, tech media outlets like Gizmodo, and general news sources continue to monitor the situation, with the future of these files and their potential impact on public opinion and ongoing investigations remaining uncertain.
