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    Demands for more details from US justice department after newly released Epstein files mention Donald Trump – as it happened

    This live blog is now closed. For the latest news on the Epstein files, read our full report:Newly released Epstein files include references to Donald TrumpIn another released email exchange from November 2001, Ghislaine Maxwell appears to be organizing an instructor for Epstein who “has to be female youngish and attractive otherwise he will lose interest rapidly”.Maxwell emails someone called “Gibby”, saying: “JE is looking for an exercise instructor to work out with. He is looking for someone who can tone, flex and stretch.” “I am counting on you,” she adds.He likes, well you know what he likes. Continue reading… More

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    Trump complains Epstein files are damaging people who ‘innocently met’ him

    In his first comments since the release, the president expressed sympathy for high-profile figures, including Bill Clinton, who have come under scrutinyDonald Trump has broken his silence on the release of the Jeffrey Epstein files, complaining that people who “innocently met” the convicted paedophile could have their reputations destroyed.In his first comments since the justice department began releasing the materials on Friday, the US president on Monday expressed sympathy for prominent Democrats who have come under renewed scrutiny over their associations with Epstein. Continue reading… More

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    Yet again, released Epstein files raise more questions than answers | Moira Donegan

    The documents are disturbing. But they seem largely to reflect information that has already been made publicAfter months of public outcry and pressure from within the Maga coalition, Donald Trump’s justice department released what it called The Epstein Files, with the Trump world’s typical fanfare. A media frenzy ensued. But the “files” that were released by Pam Bondi’s Department of Justice left many observers frustrated and confused. The release was partial and heavily redacted; much of the information had already been made public. Media figures were incensed, and members of Congress pledged to push the Trump administration for more. The episode left Washington watchers frustrated. It fueled speculation that Trump, who had long opposed the release of the documents, had something to hide.That was on 27 February, when a group of 15 rightwing media figures who had taken a special interest in the Epstein case were summoned to the White House and given white binders labeled “The Epstein Files”. The release was meant to allay pressure from the president’s conspiracy-minded base and neutralize the Epstein issue, which has dogged Trump since the financier, sex offender and former close friend of the president died in prison during his first term in 2019. But those who received the binders said that there was little new information in them. The episode only further inflamed tensions and increased the salience of the Epstein issue. Continue reading… More

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    Jeffrey Epstein files latest: New files, including transcripts, released by Department of Justice on Saturday – as it happened

    Agency hit with legal threats and scathing outrage after Friday release includes limited, heavily redacted trove. This blog is now closed.Analysis: Trickle release signals move to bury Trump tiesPhotos from the first batch of Epstein filesA book titled Massage for Dummies was seen among the partial files released yesterday by the Department of Justice. It is mentioned as one of the “gifts” Epstein gave to a “girl” whose name is redacted.Various reports say Epstein would often request massages from his victims – for both himself and others in his circle.Many of the documents in the data dump were heavily redacted, with text blacked out so it was impossible to read. Norm Eisen, executive chair of Democracy Defenders Fund, said: “What they have released is clearly incomplete and appears to be over-redacted to boot.”The documents extensively featured photos of former president Bill Clinton, a Democrat, and appeared to include few if any photos of Trump or documents mentioning him, despite Trump and Epstein’s well-publicised friendship in the 1990s and early 2000s. Continue reading… More

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    Bill Clinton spokesperson says White House is using him as scapegoat after Epstein files release

    Angel Ureña said ex-president, pictured in some photos released by justice department, cut ties with Epstein in 2005A spokesperson for Bill Clinton accused the White House late on Friday of using him as a scapegoat after pictures of the former president with sex offender Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell, as well as with a young woman in a pool, were included as part of congressionally ordered release of government files.“The White House hasn’t been hiding these files for months only to dump them late on a Friday to protect Bill Clinton,” the spokesperson said in a statement on X. Continue reading… More

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    Epstein files: Democrats vow to fight Trump officials’ plan to hold back some documents, slamming ‘violation of federal law’ – live

    Lawmakers accuse justice department of defying the Epstein Files Transparency ActUS legislators say justice department is violating law by not releasing all Epstein filesEpstein files to be released after months of delays from Trump officialsFBI director Kash Patel has said “no one is above the law” after a Wisconsin judge was found guilty on Thursday of helping a migrant evade a planned immigration arrest outside her courtroom.Patel is the latest member of President Donald Trump’s administration to celebrate what it sees as a victory in its effort to deter interference with its hardline immigration tactics. Continue reading… More

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    US legislators say justice department is violating law by not releasing all Epstein files

    Todd Blanche, deputy attorney general, says release of files won’t include full set, prompting outrage from lawmakersUS politics live – latest updatesTodd Blanche, the deputy attorney general, said that the Department of Justice will not release all its files related to the convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein on Friday, despite the deadline stated in the law. Blanche’s comments drew sharp rebuke from Capitol Hill, where top legislators threatened legal action “in the face of this violation of federal law”.Speaking in an interview on Fox News on Friday morning, Blanche said: “I expect we’re going to release several hundred thousand documents today, and those documents will come in all different forms, photographs and other materials associated with all of the investigations into Mr Epstein”. Continue reading… More

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    The long-awaited release of the Epstein files | The Latest

    The US Department of Justice is expected to release files relating to the disgraced late financier and sex trafficker, Jeffrey Epstein, this evening. The Trump administration is obliged to publish a massive archive of documents that could shed further light on Epstein’s misdeeds and his connections with key public figures – including Donald Trump  Jonathan Freedland joins Lucy Hough to discuss why it is such a big moment Continue reading… More