\n We\u2019ll see all of the Department of Justice\u2019s records relating to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, right? Not quite. Here\u2019s what to know:\n <\/p>\n
\n Will all of the material be released?\n <\/p>\n
\n No. There is some fine print in the legislation\u2019s language that allows for some files to be withheld. And the announcement of a new investigation into Epstein\u2019s contacts raises real questions about how the Trump administration will respond.\n <\/p>\n
\n Hold on, why is there a new investigation if the DOJ had already said its review was done?\n <\/p>\n
\n Trump demanded it. When it became clear the Epstein files bill would pass, and after lawmakers released a tranche of emails obtained from Epstein\u2019s estate that mentioned Trump and other high-profile figures, Trump went to social media to call on Attorney General Pam Bondi and the FBI<\/a> specifically to investigate Epstein\u2019s contacts with former President Bill Clinton, Clinton\u2019s former Treasury Secretary Larry Summers<\/a>, and others with ties to Democrats.\n <\/p>\n \n Bondi has apparently complied and launched that new investigation despite having earlier said the review of the Epstein files was complete. Bondi said yesterday that \u201cnew information\u201d has come forward.\n <\/p>\n \n Will the new investigation block the release of any files?\n <\/p>\n \n It\u2019s certainly possible. The law specifically exempts releasing any information that \u201cwould jeopardize an active federal investigation or ongoing prosecution, provided that such withholding is narrowly tailored and temporary.\u201d\n <\/p>\n \n What\u2019s the fine print on what can be released?\n <\/p>\n \n In addition to allowing the DOJ to withhold information related to active investigations, there are other permitted withholdings.\n <\/p>\n \n They include personal identifiable information of victims or other disclosures that would constitute an invasion of privacy. Also exempted is anything depicting child sexual abuse, death or physical abuse.\n <\/p>\n \n A much broader and subjective permitted withholding has to do with classified material or anything that needs to be \u201ckept secret in the interest of national defense or foreign policy.\u201d\n <\/p>\n