Are there ‘political redactions’ in Epstein Files? Justice Department says only redacted names are…, second tranche reveals…

Epstein Files: The second tranche of the ‘Epstein Files’ released Friday evening by the United States Department of Justice (DOJ) revealed more damning images related to sex-trafficking and pedophile ring operated by Jeffrey Epstein, including a picture of former President Bill Clinton in a hot tub.

Were ‘political redactions’ made in Epstein Files?

However, redactions have been made in the documents related to the Jeffrey Epstein case, raising apprehensions that these might be ‘politically motivated’.

The Epstein Files Transparency Act required the Justice Department to redact things that could potentially identify victims who were sexually abused. However, it’s not clear that every redaction in every photo was made to protect a confirmed victim.

What did DOJ say about redactions in Epstein Files?

Addressing the matter, the US Justice Department asserted that the redactions made in the Epstein Files are solely meant to protect victims, and no politicians’ names are being withheld. “The Justice Department is not redacting the names of any politicians,” the DOJ wrote on X.

“The only redactions being applied to the documents are those required by law — full stop. Consistent with the statute and applicable laws, we are not redacting the names of individuals or politicians unless they are a victim,” Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche, as per the DOJ.

Notably, experts and critics have asserted that the DOJ’s extensive redaction of the partially-released Epstein files is ‘illegal’ and does not comply with the Epstein Files Transparency Act.

What was released in second batch of Epstein Files?

The highlight of the second wave of Epstein Files includes a picture of former President Bill Clinton with a woman in a hot tub, with Justice Department stating that the blacked-out area in the photo was aimed to protect a victim of Epstein’s sexual abuse. “Beloved Democrat President. The black box is added to protect a victim,” DOJ spokesperson Gates McGavick wrote on X.

Clinton has not been charged with any crimes and has never been accused by law enforcement of wrongdoing related to Epstein. Addressing the matter, Clinton’s spokesperson, Angel Urena, said Friday that the former president had no knowledge of Epstein’s criminal activities and had ended the relationship before those crimes came to light.

“There are two types of people here,” Urena stated. “The first group knew nothing and cut Epstein off before his crimes came to light. The second group continued relationships with him after. We’re in the first.”

Another image shows what appears to be a stuffed dog in a box, consistent with previous reports that Epstein kept a taxidermied poodle. The origin of the photos is unclear, though the DOJ has indicated that some materials came from search warrants executed at Epstein’s residences in Florida, New York, and his private island in the US Virgin Islands.

Why DOJ released Epstein Files?

The release of the much-hyped Epstein Files follows approval from federal judges to unseal grand jury materials in cases against Epstein and his associate Ghislaine Maxwell, allowing the DOJ to publish the highly anticipated records.

The release follows federal judges’ approval to unseal grand jury materials in cases against Epstein and his associate Ghislaine Maxwell, allowing the DOJ to publish the highly anticipated records, CNN reported. However, the documents still include 119 pages labelled as grand jury materials that remain fully redacted.

These pages are interspersed with mainly other redacted documents, along with one explicit image of a woman.

The Justice Department has not categorised much of the released material, making it unclear which portions were part of the grand jury materials authorised for release, CNN reported.

The DOJ released an additional batch of evidence photos on its website at approximately 7 pm ET on Friday, approximately four hours after the initial release. About 120 photos, primarily depicting FBI evidence boxes, envelopes, hard drives, old CDs, and computers, were released.

Meanwhile, in a letter sent to Congress, Deputy Attorney General Blanche emphasised that the DOJ’s extensive review of Epstein-related materials “did not … uncover evidence that could predicate an investigation against uncharged third parties,” which includes Clinton.