U.S. · Crime & justice · 6 outlets (L 3 · C 3 · R 0)

Classified material missing from Epstein files, documents suggest

At least three documents in the Epstein files indicate Blanche received classified material in the tranche and did not release it, The New Republic reported.^⁠[4] Justice Department records show classified material related to Jeffrey Epstein was delivered to Attorney General Todd Blanche's office, according to CBS News.^{⁠[1, 5]} Missing pages and a reference to classified documents contradict the Justice Department's claims about the files, CBS News reported.^⁠[5]

Blanche has repeatedly said the department is not withholding any documents on national security grounds, saying there is not some tranche of super-secret documents about Epstein.^{⁠[1, 3, 7]} When the releases began last winter, Blanche noted the Epstein Files Transparency Act authorized withholding information in the interest of national security or foreign policy, but said no files were being withheld, Yahoo News reported.^⁠[7] Under the act, the Justice Department was required to release all files related to the prosecution, The New Republic reported.^⁠[4]

Why it matters The Epstein Files Transparency Act required the Justice Department to release all files related to the prosecution, so the reported withholding puts the department at odds with that obligation.^⁠[4]

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Read first Classified material missing from Epstein files, documents suggest · CBS News