The full release of files on deceased paedophile Jeffrey Epstein may take a few more weeks, the US Department of Justice have conceded.
Epstein, who died in prison back in 2019, was one of the most high-profile sex offenders in modern history, with files on who he associated with — including current US president Donald Trump and former US President Bill Clinton — being released, albeit heavily redacted, earlier this month.
Despite releasing the files, the DOJ has admitted that, following the discovery of more than one million potentially relevant documents, it may take a few more weeks to release all of the files, despite Congress issuing a deadline last Friday (December 19).
The full release of files on paedophile Jeffrey Epstein may take a few more weeks, the US Department of Justice have conceded. Pic: The US Justice Department / Handout /Anadolu via Getty Images
The discovery was made hours after a dozen Senators in the US called for an investigation into how and why the Department of Justice missed the deadline, saying that victims of Epstein and his associates deserve full disclosure and the peace of mind of an independent audit.
In a statement on social media, the Department of Justice announced the latest twist in the tale, even though months ago, they suggested they had comprehensively reviewed the files.
In their latest statement, they didn’t disclose when they became aware of the million new files.
The US Department of Justice announced at the 11th hour that it had discovered over 1 million more relevant files, including those involving high-profile people who had interacted with Epstein, including US President Donald Trump and Andrew Mountbatten Windsor. Pic: Davidoff Studios/Getty Images
The White House defended the handling of the files in typical fashion, with White House spokesperson Abigail Jackson saying in a statement: ‘President Trump has assembled the greatest cabinet in American history, which includes Attorney General Bondi and her team — like deputy attorney general Blanche — who are doing a great job implementing the president’s agenda.’
In the initial file dump, a photo of Epstein with Mr Trump was removed by the Department of Justice, but has since been reinstated following intense backlash.
On Sunday, the Deputy Attorney General, Todd Blanche, said that it was included in items removed from the website due to concerns raised by victims.
A photo which shows Mr Trump with Epstein was removed from the files before being reinstated following intense backlash. Pic: US Justice Department/Anadolu via Getty Images
The image in question shows a desk with framed photographs of Epstein meeting various people.
The Department of Justice wrote: ‘Out of an abundance of caution, the Department of Justice temporarily removed the image for further review.
‘After the review, it was determined there is no evidence that any Epstein victims are depicted in the photograph, and it has been reposted without any alteration or redaction.’
Other high-profile people included in photos with Epstein included Bill Gates, Pope John Paul II and Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, the former Prince Andrew.