Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche said Sunday that all material referencing President Donald Trump in files linked to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein will be released, with limited redactions to protect victims and survivors.
Speaking on NBC News’ “Meet the Press,” Blanche said the Justice Department would disclose any mention or photograph of the president contained in the records, except where the law requires withholding identifying information of victims.
The remarks came amid heightened scrutiny of the government’s handling of Epstein related records and renewed public attention to Trump’s past association with the disgraced financier.
Epstein, a wealthy financier with connections to political and business leaders, died in federal custody in two thousand nineteen while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges.
Since then, calls for transparency around investigative files have intensified across party lines. Blanche told NBC News moderator Kristen Welker that President Trump had repeatedly said he had “nothing to hide” and supported full disclosure.
Blanche said that to the extent Trump appeared in the files, it was not connected to Epstein’s crimes.
“But yes, if President Trump is mentioned, if there are photographs that we have of President Trump or anybody else, they will be released, with the exception of any victims or survivors that we have identified,” Blanche said.
In recent months, the Trump administration has faced criticism from Democrats and Republicans over delays and partial releases of Epstein related documents.
Blanche previously said not all files could be released immediately due to legal constraints and the need for careful review. Legal analysts said the Justice Department’s approach reflects a tension between transparency and statutory obligations.
“Releasing materials tied to a high profile figure like the president raises public interest concerns, but federal law is clear about protecting victims and witnesses,” said Marissa Klein, a former federal prosecutor and now a lecturer at Georgetown University.
“Redaction is not optional. It is required.” Klein added that the pledge to release all Trump references in the Epstein files could set a precedent for how future administrations handle politically sensitive disclosures.
According to Blanche, the Justice Department expects to release several hundred thousand documents in total. A segment of the Epstein files was released Friday, followed by additional materials on Saturday.
Blanche told Fox News that several hundred thousand more documents could be released over the next couple of weeks.
The department said the pace has been slowed by the need to redact names and details that could identify witnesses or victims.
Similar large scale reviews in past federal investigations, including those involving organized crime and terrorism, have taken months or years to complete.
Outside the Justice Department headquarters in Washington, reactions were mixed. “People have been waiting a long time to see what’s actually in these files,” said Robert Martinez, a government accountability advocate who traveled from Maryland.
“If Trump is mentioned, releasing it helps restore some trust.” Victim advocacy groups urged caution. In a statement, the National Survivors Alliance said releasing images or documents without full context could retraumatize survivors.
Blanche said some materials were temporarily removed from the DOJ website at the request of such groups. “We don’t have perfect information,” Blanche said. “When we hear from victims’ rights groups about a photograph, we pull it down and investigate.”
Sixteen files, including photographs of the president, were removed from the DOJ website Saturday, according to multiple media reports.
The department said the materials would be reposted after review, possibly with additional redactions. Blanche said the removals had “nothing to do” with the president and were part of an ongoing review process.
He said any photo taken down would be restored once legal and victim protection concerns were addressed. Transparency advocates said continued updates will be critical as more Trump Epstein files are released.
The Justice Department’s commitment to releasing all references to President Trump in the Epstein files marks a significant step in a long running transparency debate.
As the review continues, officials say the goal is to balance public disclosure with legal obligations to protect victims and witnesses. Further releases are expected in the coming weeks as the department completes its review.
