Survivors of Jeffrey Epstein have strongly criticised the United States government following the release of a heavily redacted collection of documents related to the late convicted sex offender, saying the disclosure falls far short of the transparency promised by lawmakers and represents a painful setback in their pursuit of accountability.
The backlash intensified over the weekend after US media reported that at least 16 files had vanished from the public webpage hosting the newly released Epstein-related documents. Among the missing materials was a photograph that included President Donald Trump, further fuelling speculation and outrage.
Partial Disclosure Sparks Anger
The Department of Justice (DOJ) began publishing the files on Friday to comply with a law passed overwhelmingly by Congress in November 2025. The legislation required the full public release of government records related to Epstein, subject only to legal limits and the protection of survivors’ identities.
However, the initial release — comprising tens of thousands of pages — contained extensive redactions, blacked-out photographs, and large gaps in key records. Many of the most anticipated materials, including FBI victim interviews and internal DOJ memoranda explaining past charging decisions, were not included.
One document labelled “Grand Jury-NY”, believed to be connected to federal sex-trafficking investigations that culminated in Epstein’s 2019 arrest, was released in its entirety but completely blacked out, offering no usable information to the public.
Survivors Say Promises Were Broken
Several Epstein survivors expressed deep frustration, saying the release failed to deliver justice or meaningful transparency.
“This is another slap in the face,” said Marina Lacerda, who has previously said Epstein abused her when she was 14 years old. Speaking to US media, Lacerda said survivors expected far more substance from the disclosures. “All of us are infuriated by this. We were promised the truth.”
Lacerda was a key witness in the 2019 federal investigation that led to sex-trafficking charges against Epstein, who later died in jail while awaiting trial.
Another survivor, Jess Michaels, said she spent hours searching the files for her own victim statement and records of calls she made to an FBI tip line — but found nothing.
“I can’t find any of it,” she told CNN. “Even an act of Congress isn’t enough to get us justice.”
Marijke Chartouni, who said Epstein abused her when she was 20, questioned the government’s commitment to openness. “If everything is redacted, where is the transparency?” she said.
Missing Files Deepen Suspicion
The unexplained removal of at least 16 files from the public database has intensified scrutiny of the DOJ’s handling of the release. The department has not publicly explained why the files were taken down or whether they will be restored.
Democratic members of the House Oversight Committee highlighted the disappearance of the image showing Trump, posting on social media: “What else is being covered up? The American public deserves transparency.”
Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer warned that the controversy risked becoming a major political scandal. “If they’re taking this down, imagine how much more they’re trying to hide,” he said.
Lawmakers Voice Bipartisan Frustration
Anger over the redactions and delays has crossed party lines. Republican Representative Thomas Massie, who played a key role in pushing the disclosure law through Congress, accused the White House of violating both “the spirit and the letter of the law”.
The statute required the DOJ to make the case files public by Friday, allowing only narrow redactions for legal reasons and survivor privacy.
DOJ Defends Its Actions
The Trump administration has rejected accusations of a cover-up. Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche said in a televised interview that there was no effort to withhold information to protect the president or anyone else.
In a statement posted online late Saturday, the DOJ said files were still being reviewed and redacted “in an abundance of caution” as additional information was assessed, adding that more documents would be released on a rolling basis.
High-Profile Figures Appear in Photos
The released materials include undated photographs of Epstein alongside numerous high-profile figures, including former President Bill Clinton, musicians Mick Jagger, Michael Jackson, and Diana Ross, entrepreneur Richard Branson, and the former Duchess of York, Sarah Ferguson.
Actors Chris Tucker and Kevin Spacey also appear in some images. None of the individuals named have been accused of wrongdoing in connection with Epstein.
Prince Andrew, who previously lost royal titles over his association with Epstein, appears in one image and has repeatedly denied any criminal conduct.
Notably, direct references to Trump — despite his past social relationship with Epstein in the 1990s — were largely absent from the newly released documents. Trump has denied knowledge of Epstein’s crimes and has not been accused of wrongdoing.
Renewed Calls for Accountability
As questions mount over missing files, redactions, and delayed disclosures, survivors and lawmakers alike are demanding fuller transparency.
For Epstein’s victims, the issue goes beyond politics. Many say the latest release reinforces a long-standing belief that powerful institutions continue to protect themselves at the expense of those harmed.
“This was supposed to be about accountability,” one survivor said. “Instead, it feels like history repeating itself.”
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