The release of documents related to the investigation of convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein has prompted a response from former President Bill Clinton. A spokesman for Clinton accused Donald Trump of using the situation to divert attention from his own issues. The Justice Department published thousands of pages of files on March 15, 2024, as mandated by the bipartisan Epstein Files Transparency Act, which requires public disclosure of records concerning Epstein.
Among the released materials are numerous photographs of Clinton, including images of him at a swimming pool with Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell. The documents do not provide context or dates for the images and do not directly connect Clinton or others in the photos to any criminal activity. Clinton’s chief of staff, Angel Ureña, emphasized this point in a statement, saying, “This is not about Bill Clinton… Everyone, especially MAGA, expects answers, not scapegoats.”
The Justice Department has indicated that it found no evidence to warrant further investigations into public figures like Clinton. They noted extensive redactions in the documents to protect the privacy of victims. Despite this, Clinton’s presence in the photographs has attracted considerable media and public attention, especially since Trump appears only briefly in a few images from the same release.
Critics, including Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene, have raised concerns about the completeness of the files, accusing the Justice Department of excessive redaction and failing to release critical information. The Department has committed to reviewing the materials further, which could lead to additional disclosures in the future.
Ureña’s statement addressed the timing and nature of the document release, asserting, “The White House has not been hiding these files for months… This is about shielding themselves from what comes next.” He framed the issue as a divide between those who distanced themselves from Epstein and those who maintained ties after his crimes became known.
In contrast, White House spokeswoman Abigail Jackson defended the Trump administration’s transparency, stating, “By releasing thousands of pages of documents… the Trump Administration has done more for the victims than Democrats ever have.” Jackson also claimed that the Trump administration is the “most transparent in history.”
Comments from Susie Wiles, Trump’s chief of staff, further added to the narrative. She refuted allegations that Clinton had made multiple visits to Epstein’s private island, countering earlier social media claims by Trump. Wiles stated, “There is no evidence” of such visits, while also acknowledging Trump’s presence in the files but asserting that “he’s not in the file doing anything awful.”
As the fallout from the Epstein files continues, the Justice Department faces increasing pressure from lawmakers and survivor advocates for a more complete release of the documents, including less redacted versions. The ongoing scrutiny of both Clinton and Trump highlights the complex web of relationships surrounding Epstein and the broader implications for public figures involved.
