US officials deny censoring Epstein documents to shield President Trump, as victims and lawmakers criticise the heavily redacted release.
WASHINGTON: US Justice Department officials have denied redacting files related to Jeffrey Epstein to protect President Donald Trump.
Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche (pic) defended the partial release of documents, telling NBC’s “Meet the Press” that “we are not redacting information around President Trump.”
Victims of the late sex offender have expressed anger after a cache of records was released on Friday with many pages blacked out and photos censored.
Blanche stated that the decision to initially remove a group photo showing Trump was taken over “concerns about those women.”
The Justice Department later reposted the photo “without any alteration or redaction” after a review found “there is no evidence that any Epstein victims are depicted.”
Democratic lawmakers have accused Trump of defying a law ordering the full release of all Epstein files.
“It’s all about covering up things that, for whatever reason, Donald Trump doesn’t want to go public,” Democratic congressman Jamie Raskin said on CNN.
The released materials included photographs of former president Bill Clinton and celebrities such as Mick Jagger and Michael Jackson.
Officials stated the redactions were to protect Epstein’s victims, but the many censored sections have fueled further criticism.
Republican congressman Thomas Massie joined Democrats in demanding a complete release, telling CBS that officials are “flouting the spirit and the letter of the law.”
Trump, once a close friend of Epstein, ultimately signed the law compelling publication after pressure from Congress.
The files also contained censored images and previously unseen photographs of disgraced former prince Andrew.
Other pictures show Bill Clinton in a hot tub and swimming near Epstein’s accomplice, Ghislaine Maxwell.
Maxwell is serving a 20-year sentence for recruiting underage girls for Epstein, whose death was ruled a suicide.
Democratic House minority leader Hakeem Jeffries said justice officials must provide Congress a written explanation for withholding documents within 15 days.
“It does appear, of course, that this initial document release is inadequate,” Jeffries said on ABC. – AFP
