TL/DR –
The Trump administration’s release of a large collection of documents and media related to its investigation of Jeffrey Epstein has been criticized for its sloppiness, including failing to fully redact the names of 43 victims and publishing 40 photos showing the nude bodies of young women. Lawyers representing Epstein’s victims have requested that the Justice Department take down its Epstein-files clearinghouse website for violating their clients’ privacy. Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche defended the handling of the files, stating that errors only accounted for 0.001 percent of all materials and that all issues were immediately rectified upon notification.
Here is the content:
Photo: Department of Justice
The federal government has been slow in complying with the Epstein Files Transparency Act – a bipartisan bill signed by President Donald Trump that mandates the release of Justice Department’s documents and media on the Jeffrey Epstein investigation. Despite missing the deadline, the Trump administration is releasing the Epstein files gradually, including some redactions and shocking revelations. Their latest release, however, showcases additional government negligence.
A Wall Street Journal analysis revealed the Justice Department’s failure to redact 43 victims’ full names in the latest file release. Some of these names, including more than 24 minor victims, were found unredacted multiple times along with identifying data like home addresses.
Additionally, The New York Times reports that the government published over 40 photos showing nude women with their faces revealed. The images, which were later removed, showed at least seven different individuals in various settings, including Epstein’s private island.
Epstein’s victims reacted strongly to this sloppy handling of data. ABC News reports that victims’ lawyers have requested New York federal judges to take the Justice Department’s website down alleging violations of their clients’ privacy.
Deputy attorney general Todd Blanche, defending the handling of files on ABC’s This Week Sunday, claims errors form only a minuscule part of all the material.
Blanche affirms that victim protection was a priority and that the review involved 3.5 million documents. He also said that any improperly redacted names are immediately corrected upon notification by a victim or their lawyer.
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