DOJ’s Epstein files release sparks backlash over lack of new details

The U.S. Department of Justice’s release of Jeffrey Epstein’s contact list and flight logs has drawn criticism for failing to provide new revelations about the disgraced financier’s connections.

Attorney General Pam Bondi had hyped the release, but the documents, made public on Thursday, primarily contained previously known flight records and contact details of Epstein’s associates.

The documents included the names of celebrities and business figures, but the DOJ clarified that the release was not a “client list.” High-profile names, such as Mick Jagger, Bill Gates, and Prince Andrew, have long been linked to Epstein in previous leaks and lawsuits. The document also contained redacted sections, including a list of 254 individuals described as masseuses.

Bondi, along with FBI Director Kash Patel, previewed the release to conservative influencers before making it public, leading to accusations of political theater. Critics, including some Republican lawmakers and conservative commentators, expressed disappointment, calling for further transparency. Bondi has since claimed that the FBI withheld thousands of additional pages and vowed to push for their release.

Epstein, a convicted sex offender, died in jail in 2019 while awaiting trial for sex trafficking. His longtime associate, Ghislaine Maxwell, was later convicted for her role in the operation and sentenced to 20 years in prison.

Despite public anticipation, the newly released documents have left many que