The Department of Justice (DOJ) is facing backlash after releasing heavily redacted Epstein files, leaving the public furious over what many say is a massive transparency failure.
The files were released on Friday following the passage of the Epstein Files Transparency Act, which required the DOJ to turn over documents related to disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein, who died in a New York jail cell in 2019.
The law was explicit about what could and could not be redacted. Documents were not allowed to be withheld simply because they would “embarrass” a government official or public figure.
That promise has now been called into question.
Within hours of the release, journalists and everyday Americans alike complained that entire documents were blacked out from start to finish. In some cases, hundreds of pages were completely unreadable.
“One of the Epstein documents is just 100 straight pages of entirely redacted pdf. Just black rectangles. No gaps,” one social media user wrote.
Another added, “The world is ran by a pedo elite but the general public will likely never know the full story. 90% of the released Epstein files are fully redacted.”
The frustration grew after users discovered that the DOJ’s searchable database did not initially work, forcing people to manually sift through hundreds of thousands of pages.
While searches for names like “Ghislaine Maxwell” later produced results, searches for “Donald Trump” or “Bill Clinton” reportedly returned nothing.
“This isn’t transparency,” one user wrote. “This is a cover-up.”
Even liberal influencer Brian Krassenstein said he opened a file related to Maxwell’s trial only to find the entire document redacted.
While many documents were blacked out, some images included in the release immediately sparked outrage, per the Daily Mail.
Former President Bill Clinton appeared in several photos, including one showing him relaxing in a swimming pool with Ghislaine Maxwell.
Other images showed Clinton posing with Epstein, both wearing flashy satin shirts.
Epstein was also pictured alongside celebrities such as Michael Jackson, Mick Jagger, and billionaire Richard Branson. Actor Kevin Spacey appeared in images as well, though none showed him directly with Epstein or Maxwell.
The context and dates of many of the photos remain unknown.
Maxwell, who is currently serving a 20-year sentence for recruiting and sex trafficking minors for Epstein, appeared in multiple images, including one taken outside 10 Downing Street in London.
President Donald Trump signed the Epstein Files Transparency Act on November 19, giving the DOJ 30 days to prepare the release.
Ahead of the document dump, Trump declined to take questions about the files during a press conference focused on drug prices.
“I think that is a very big statement,” Trump said. “And based on that, I won’t even take questions today.”
As media outlets and independent researchers continue combing through the massive trove of files, critics say the level of redaction has only fueled suspicion that key details are still being withheld.
