Legal Mandate, Political Sensitivity

The Justice Department has released a third tranche of documents tied to the Jeffrey Epstein investigation, underscoring the tension between statutory transparency requirements and the political sensitivity surrounding high-profile names. The release, made public on Tuesday, adds nearly 30,000 pages to the growing archive mandated by the Epstein Files Transparency Act.

The department confirmed that some of the newly disclosed materials reference President Donald Trump, including mentions connected to flight records involving Epstein’s private aircraft. Authorities emphasized that Trump has not been accused of any criminal wrongdoing related to Epstein, a clarification included prominently alongside the release.

“Untrue and Sensationalist Claims”

In a statement posted on X, the Justice Department addressed the Trump references directly, describing some claims contained in the files as “untrue and sensationalist.” According to the department, certain allegations were submitted to the Federal Bureau of Investigation shortly before the 2020 election and were assessed as lacking credibility.

“The Department of Justice has officially released nearly 30,000 more pages of documents related to Jeffrey Epstein,” the statement said. It added that if the claims against Trump “had a shred of credibility, they certainly would have been weaponized against President Trump already.” The department stressed that the disclosures were made “out of our commitment to the law and transparency,” while applying legally required protections for Epstein’s victims.

Scrutiny Over Compliance

The third release arrives amid mounting pressure from lawmakers and survivors, who have questioned whether the department has fully complied with its obligations under the Epstein Files Transparency Act. Critics argue that earlier disclosures fell short of releasing all relevant records held by federal authorities, prompting calls for greater completeness and clarity.

The Justice Department acknowledged these concerns implicitly by highlighting its legal duty to publish the records. The cumulative releases now span tens of thousands of pages across three batches, reflecting the scale of the material collected during years of investigations into Epstein and his network.

While the latest documents add detail, including references to flight logs and third-party claims, officials reiterated that inclusion in the files does not equate to substantiated allegations. The department’s framing signals an effort to balance transparency with caution, as the Epstein case continues to generate legal, political, and public scrutiny years after his death.