Live updates: Epstein files released

The Justice Division has launched greater than 300,000 pages of Jeffrey Epstein’s unclassified recordsdata.

The recordsdata have been launched Friday afternoon to adjust to a regulation handed by Congress and signed by President Donald Trump. Deputy Lawyer Normal Todd Blanche stated he expects “a number of hundred thousand extra” to be launched within the coming weeks, prompting Democrats to take authorized motion for not absolutely releasing them by the Dec. 19 deadline.

Here is the most recent:

New pictures of Jeffrey Epstein’s property (Home Oversight Democrats)

Epstein recordsdata launched on particular web site

4:10 PM ET: The recordsdata have been launched in searchable format on a Division of Justice web site. You should use the website and find the files here.

The trove of recordsdata consists of pictures, name logs, grand jury testimony, and a few papers and paperwork which have already been within the public area.

This story is being up to date as FOX’s LiveNow investigates the recordsdata.

What’s within the Epstein Information?

The recordsdata have been anticipated to comprise never-before-seen materials, however a lot has already been made public, together with by Congress and thru lawsuits.

RELATED: New Epstein photos were shared a day before the filing deadline

Earlier than the Justice Division launched the recordsdata, Democrats on the Home Oversight Committee shared at the least three batches of photos from Epstein’s estatea small portion of the greater than 95,000 recordsdata that Congress has obtained. The pictures – shared with out captions or context – are separate from the recordsdata the Justice Division launched at the moment.

RELATED: New photos from Epstein’s estate show Trump, Bill Clinton and more

These pictures shedding light on the powerful figures in Epstein’s inner circletogether with President Donald Trump, former President Invoice Clinton, Microsoft founder Invoice Gates and former Prince Andrew.

Why are the Epstein recordsdata launched?

Massive picture:

The Epstein Information Transparency Act, a regulation handed by Congress and signed by Trump, requires the Justice Division to launch all unclassified paperwork and investigative supplies, together with recordsdata associated to immunity offers and inside communications, by December 19. The Division of Justice should make the paperwork publicly accessible in a searchable and downloadable format.

RELATED: Here’s who voted against releasing the Epstein files

What’s not within the Epstein recordsdata?

Dig deeper:

The Justice Division can withhold or redact paperwork that, if made public, would represent “a manifestly unwarranted invasion of non-public privateness.” It additionally prohibits the discharge of fabric depicting little one sexual abuse, or depictions of dying, bodily abuse or harm.

That signifies that if movies or pictures exist of Epstein or anybody else sexually abusing underage ladies, they shouldn’t be made public. However the regulation additionally makes clear that no paperwork could also be withheld or redacted — that means sure parts are blacked out — solely as a result of releasing them would trigger embarrassment or reputational harm to a public determine, authorities official or international dignitary.

RELATED: Epstein’s emails say Trump “spent hours” with one of Epstein’s victims

Who was Jeffrey Epstein?

The backstory:

Epstein, a rich financier, was identified for his dealings with celebrities, politicians, billionaires and the tutorial elite, together with Trump and Clinton. He was first accused of sexually abusing underage ladies in 2005, however Epstein made a secret take care of the U.S. legal professional in Florida to keep away from federal fees, permitting him to plead responsible to a comparatively minor state-level prostitution cost in 2008. He served 13 months in a piece launch program in jail.

In 2019, Manhattan federal prosecutors revived the case and charged Epstein with intercourse trafficking, alleging he sexually abused dozens of ladies. A month after his arrest, he dedicated suicide in jail.

RELATED: Ghislaine Maxwell case: Judge grants request to unseat case files

Epstein’s longtime pal and ex-girlfriend Ghislaine Maxwell is serving a 20-year prison sentence for serving to recruit a few of his underage victims.