In a significant development, a spokesperson for former US President Bill Clinton has publicly called on the Department of Justice (DOJ) to release any and all documents pertaining to Clinton in its ongoing disclosure of files related to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. This move comes amidst a politically charged atmosphere where Clinton has been targeted by the GOP.
Clinton's Team Accuses DOJ of Protecting Someone
Angel Ureña, the spokesperson, issued a rare and pointed statement. He argued that the manner and content of the DOJ's initial release indicate an effort to shield certain parties. "What the Department of Justice has released so far, and the manner in which it did so, makes one thing clear: someone or something is being protected," Ureña declared. He emphasized that Clinton requires no such protection, stating, "We do not know whom, what or why. But we do know this: We need no such protection."
The statement was a direct response to what Politico reported as an attempt by the Trump administration to position Clinton as a new focal point for Republican criticism in the protracted Epstein saga. Ureña warned that if the DOJ fails to comply with the request for full disclosure, it would confirm suspicions of using "selective releases to imply wrongdoing" about individuals previously cleared by investigations under administrations of both parties.
The Document Release and Ongoing Controversy
The DOJ's first batch of documents was released on Friday, following the Epstein Files Transparency Act signed into law by President Donald Trump last month. However, the release fell short of publishing all federal documents related to various Epstein investigations as mandated by the act.
Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche explained that the DOJ is reviewing material to protect victims' identities and plans to release potentially hundreds of thousands of additional files in the coming weeks. He denied any bias, asserting, "there's no effort to hold anything back because there's the name Donald J. Trump or anybody else's name."
The initial disclosure included thousands of photos and records. Among them were multiple images of Bill Clinton with Epstein's convicted co-conspirator, Ghislaine Maxwell, as well as pictures with individuals whose faces were redacted. The law permits redactions for active investigations and to protect victims' personally identifiable information.
Historical Links and Legal Standoff
Bill Clinton's connection to Jeffrey Epstein dates back to the early 1990s, with several photographed meetings. The former President has consistently stated he was unaware of Epstein's crimes and has never been accused of any wrongdoing in connection with the financier. It is documented that Clinton flew on Epstein's plane in the 1990s to various international locations, accompanied by his Secret Service detail.
Despite Blanche's defense that the administration is complying with the law, the heavily redacted and incomplete initial release has drawn criticism. Bipartisan lawmakers have accused the administration of flouting the law, though the act itself does not specify a legal penalty for missing the 30-day deadline.
Adding to the controversy, Blanche defended the DOJ's decision to temporarily remove several documents from the initial online publication, including one featuring a photo of Donald Trump. He told NBC's Kristen Welker on "Meet the Press" that the removal was due to concerns raised by victims and that the document would be reinstated after a review.
The White House has deferred all comments to the DOJ, which did not immediately respond to Ureña's statement. This unfolding situation highlights the intense political scrutiny and complex legal challenges surrounding the full disclosure of the Epstein files.
