DOJ warns new Epstein files contain 'false' and 'sensational' claims about President Trump

WASHINGTON, DC: The Justice Department on Tuesday, December 23, released a new batch of documents related to Jeffrey Epstein, cautioning that some of the materials contained “untrue and sensationalist” claims about President Donald Trump.

In a statement posted to X, the department said that the release included nearly 30,000 pages of records, some of which contained allegations submitted to the FBI shortly before the 2020 presidential election.

DOJ said some files contain 'untrue' claims about Trump

“Some of these documents contain untrue and sensationalist claims made against President Trump that were submitted to the FBI right before the 2020 election," the DOJ said.

"To be clear: the claims are unfounded and false, and if they had a shred of credibility, they certainly would have been weaponized against President Trump already,” the DOJ added without specifying which claims it was referring to.

Despite those concerns, the DOJ said that it was releasing the documents “out of our commitment to the law and transparency.”

Release mandated by new Epstein transparency law

The disclosures are being made under the 'Epstein Files Transparency Act', which Congress passed last month and Trump signed into law on November 19.

The law requires the Justice Department to release all unclassified Epstein-related materials in its possession within 30 days, while allowing limited redactions to protect victims’ identities.

Friday’s initial release drew sharp criticism, particularly from congressional Democrats, who accused the department of withholding documents and applying heavy and inconsistent redactions.

Critics alleged that the DOJ was attempting to shield information potentially damaging to Trump.

The department has rejected those claims, saying it is working as quickly as possible while complying with legal obligations to redact sensitive material.

DOJ releases files after disputes over redactions intensify

Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche said in a letter to Congress last week that the Justice Department believes it has the authority to redact information beyond what critics argue is narrowly permitted under the law.

He said the department is also withholding internal materials, including deliberative documents, attorney work product, and privileged communications.

Blanche reiterated on Sunday that the redactions are primarily aimed at protecting victims. His remarks followed controversy over the temporary removal of an image containing a photo of Trump from the department’s online “Epstein Library,” which was later restored.

“We’re going through a very methodical process with hundreds of lawyers looking at every single document and making sure that victims’ names and any of the information from victims is protected and redacted, which is exactly what the Epstein Files Transparency Act expects,” Blanche told NBC.