Justice Department Closes Epstein Investigation
The U.S. Department of Justice has announced it will not pursue any further prosecutions following the massive release of Jeffrey Epstein files, effectively closing one of the most high-profile sex trafficking investigations in American history. Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche stated that while millions of documents have been made public, the department's review is complete and there is insufficient evidence to bring new cases.
Massive Document Release
On Friday evening, the Justice Department released approximately 3 million pages of documents, including thousands of photos and videos, as required by the Epstein Files Transparency Act. This represents the largest single release of materials related to the Epstein case, bringing the total to about half of the 6 million documents collected by investigators.
Deputy Attorney General Blanche acknowledged that while many serious and disturbing matters have come to light, 'the evidence simply doesn't support moving forward with additional prosecutions at this time'. He emphasized that prosecutors cannot create evidence where none exists, despite public pressure for accountability.
Political Pressure and Criticism
The decision has drawn sharp criticism from Democratic lawmakers and victims' advocates. Representative Ro Khanna called the Epstein case 'one of the largest scandals in our country's history' and accused the Justice Department of protecting powerful figures. 'We're seeing wealthy individuals, tech leaders, and politicians implicated through emails and associations, yet the DOJ claims there's not enough evidence,' Khanna stated.
According to American correspondent Jan Postma, 'The political pressure on Justice is significant, but Republicans appear increasingly reluctant to push the issue, especially with midterm elections approaching. The Epstein files could potentially harm Republicans as a whole.'
Trump's Extensive Mentions
The newly released documents contain over 1,000 references to Donald Trump, according to CNN analysis. These include FBI notes about unverified allegations and testimony from an Epstein victim who stated Ghislaine Maxwell 'presented her' to Trump at a party. The documents also confirm Trump flew on Epstein's private plane multiple times in the 1990s, contradicting his previous denials.
However, the Justice Department has maintained that these allegations are false and unfounded. 'These are tips collected by the FBI, not substantiated evidence,' a department spokesperson explained. 'We cannot pursue cases based on unverified tips alone.'
Prince Andrew's Damaging Photos
One figure who emerges clearly damaged from the document release is Britain's Prince Andrew. Photos showing him leaning over a woman lying on the ground have received widespread attention and renewed calls for his cooperation with U.S. investigators. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has suggested the prince should cooperate fully with American authorities.
Friday Night News Dump Strategy
Observers note that the timing of the release—Friday evening—represents what political analysts call a 'classic news dump'. 'Many Americans are occupied with other things on Friday nights,' explained Postma. 'This happens frequently with news that authorities would prefer not to receive extensive attention.'
The Epstein case continues to cast a long shadow over American politics and justice. While the formal investigation may be closed, questions about accountability, transparency, and the protection of powerful figures remain unanswered.
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