Chaos and Redactions Cloud Latest Epstein Document Release

WASHINGTON — The Justice Department’s latest tranche of documents related to Jeffrey Epstein, released late Tuesday, has intensified scrutiny of the Trump administration’s handling of a politically explosive case, revealing new details about President Trump’s past flights on Epstein’s private jet while raising fresh questions about heavy redactions and potential co-conspirators.

The release, the third major batch since a congressional deadline passed last week, includes nearly 30,000 pages of emails, flight records and investigative memos. Among the most notable revelations is a January 2020 email from an unidentified federal prosecutor in New York alerting colleagues that flight logs showed Mr. Trump had traveled on Epstein’s aircraft at least eight times in the 1990s — far more than previously acknowledged publicly.

The email notes that on one flight, the only passengers listed were Epstein, Mr. Trump and a 20-year-old woman whose name was redacted. Other flights included Ghislaine Maxwell, Epstein’s convicted accomplice, now serving a 20-year sentence for sex trafficking. These trips, primarily domestic routes between New Jersey, Palm Beach and Washington, occurred during a period overlapping with allegations of Epstein’s criminal activities.

The disclosures appear to contradict Mr. Trump’s public statements. In 2024, he posted on social media that he “was never on Epstein’s Plane, or at his ‘stupid’ Island.” White House officials have long maintained that Mr. Trump severed ties with Epstein years before his 2008 plea deal in Florida, and no evidence in the files suggests Mr. Trump engaged in wrongdoing. The Justice Department, in a statement accompanying the release, described some claims as “unfounded and false,” emphasizing protections for victims.

Yet the documents have fueled bipartisan criticism of the department’s compliance with the Epstein Files Transparency Act, signed by Mr. Trump on Nov. 19 after initial resistance. The law mandated full disclosure of unclassified records by Dec. 19, with limited exceptions for victim privacy or ongoing investigations. Lawmakers, including the bill’s sponsors — Representative Ro Khanna, Democrat of California, and Representative Thomas Massie, Republican of Kentucky — have accused the department of violating the statute through delays, excessive redactions and the removal of previously posted files.

One email thread from July 2019, the day after Epstein’s federal indictment, references FBI inquiries into “10 co-conspirators.” Most names are blacked out, though a few, including Ms. Maxwell and others like retailer Leslie Wexner, remain visible. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer called for more details on these individuals and any decisions not to prosecute, warning of a potential “cover-up.”

Survivors of Epstein’s abuse expressed frustration, noting that many files pertaining to their cases remain withheld or inaccessible. Some victims, now middle-aged women, have repressed memories of the trauma and sought access to investigative records for closure and justice. “The justice system is failing us again,” one accuser said in a statement.

The rollout has been marred by technical issues and apparent inconsistencies. Files briefly posted online have vanished without explanation, including photographs of prominent figures. Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche has defended the process, citing the volume of materials and the need for careful review to protect victims.

Public interest remains high, crossing partisan lines. Even supporters of Mr. Trump, once vocal about demanding full transparency, have voiced disappointment over redactions perceived as shielding powerful individuals. Representatives from both parties, including members of the House Oversight Committee, are exploring options such as contempt proceedings or appointing a special master to oversee compliance.

As the department promises further releases through year’s end, the Epstein case continues to expose lingering questions about accountability in one of the most notorious sex-trafficking scandals involving elite circles. For survivors who bravely came forward, prompting the bipartisan law, the incomplete disclosures underscore a system that has yet to deliver full reckoning.