Epstein files latest: 'Several hundred thousand documents' to be released today, Trump official expects

We've just heard from the first Trump official this morning about the release of the Epstein files.

Deputy attorney general Todd Blanche has been speaking to Fox News.

He confirms that the plan is to release documents today, but he adds that they won't all come at once.

Blanche says:

"I expect that we're going to release several hundred thousand documents today, and those documents will come in all different forms - photographs and other materials associated with all of the investigations into, into Mr Epstein."

Blanche adds that the justice department has been "working tirelessly" since Trump signed the Epstein Transparency Bill into law.

He goes on to explain:

"I expect that we’re going to release more documents over the next couple of weeks... So today, several hundred thousand [documents], and then, over the next couple of weeks, I expect several hundred thousand more." 

We brought you news earlier of Democrats trying to up the pressure on the Trump administration (see our 11.49 post), and here's a bit more on that theme now.

Representative Ro Khanna, speaking yesterday, warned attorney general Pam Bondi that he would seek to impeach her if she didn't comply with the law.

Here's what he said:

"Here is the reality: any justice department official who does not comply with this law will be subject to prosecution for obstruction of justice. If Pam Bondi does not comply with the law she will be held either in inherent contempt of congress or subject to impeachment. We will not rest until the law is complied with and justice is served."

Watch Khanna speaking here...

According to a new report from Reuters news agency, there are fears of potential mistakes among the officials ordered to review and redact the Epstein files, in preparation for their release.

Lawyers in the justice department's National Security Division were ordered to review the materials ahead of release.

They have been told to redact certain information within the files.

The law that passed last month allows the withholding of personal information about Epstein's victims as well as any material that would jeopardise an active investigation. 

Citing two sources with knowledge of the matter, Reuters reports that lawyers have been working on the task since Thanksgiving and have been told to prioritise it over other work.

However, with a tight turnaround, Reuters reports there are fears of potential mistakes among some of the officials, as well as the chance that some personal information may not be redacted.

Republican representative Thomas Massie co-led the effort to push the Epstein Transparency Bill through both houses of the US Congress - despite opposition from his own party and president.

It was this law that led to the fast-approaching deadline to release the Epstein files.

In a 14-minute video shared on his social media, Massie runs through some of what to expect ahead of the release.

He says it took "five months of siege warfare" to get to where we are.

This, Massie says in remarks repeatedly criticising his own party, was done against the will of Republican Speaker Mike Johnson.

He also says that the Epstein files combine documents from three places:

• US attorneys
• The FBI
• The justice department, which has grand jury material from three courts - two in New York and one in Florida

In the aftermath of yesterday's publication of 68 pictures - see our 10.08 post for more - Democrats on the Oversight Committee have been trying to pile pressure on the Trump administration.

Throughout the last month, the Democrats have released a small number of what they've said are the 95,000 documents they've received from the estate of Jeffrey Epstein.

Robert Garcia is the most senior Democrat on the committee. Speaking late yesterday, he promised: 

"We are going all in - and on all platforms - to hold Trump and those harming the American people accountable."

Also speaking yesterday, Garcia admitted there was some uncertainty whether Trump's justice department would comply with the law.

Garcia added: "The truth is that we don't know what the DOJ [Department of Justice] is going to do tomorrow. 

"But they have a chance to do the right thing, and they should take it."

Similarly, representative Summer Lee, who is another Democrat on the Oversight Committee, speaking late yesterday, said: "Tomorrow is the deadline for Trump to release the full, unredacted Epstein files, but let's not forget the DOJ has been on the hook to release them since my motion to subpoena passed in July. It's well past time for transparency and justice for the survivors."

Our US correspondent Mark Stone wrote the following analysis about an address Donald Trump made to the US public on Wednesday. 

As our previous post notes, Trump has been sounding defensive and frustrated of late - against an increasingly challenging backdrop politically and economically.

The looming Epstein deadline - and Trump's past ties to the disgraced financier - don't appear to be helping his mood.

It must be noted, though, that the US president has never been accused of any wrongdoing in connection to Epstein, and he denies any. He has distanced himself from his former friend, saying they fell out years before his offending came to light.

But politically, the case remains a challenge to Trump's loyal base - here are Stone's thoughts on that combative speech...

The anticipation had been that it would be a speech of significance.

The White House had announced two days earlier that the president was to deliver an evening address to the nation.

Traditionally the 9pm slot, interrupting the prime-time schedule on all the networks, is reserved for big news - usually international in nature.

Speculation had grown through the day that he may use the speech to address the prospect of US military action in Venezuela.

Instead, Trump took the big audience moment to make what was essentially a campaign speech but delivered at speed and combative in tone.

Watch Stone's analysis here and read on below...

Here's the latest episode of our Trump 100 podcast.

In it, our team in the US discuss how the president has cut a frustrated figure, with poll numbers persistently low as the release of the Epstein files approaches.

They also discuss the new UK amabssador to Washington, Melania Trump's film and the renaming of the Kennedy Center.

You can also watch all episodes on our YouTube channel. 

Email us on trump100@sky.uk with your comments and questions, and listen on below...

Throughout our coverage, we may report on several names from the highest political and business circles in the US - as well as beyond.

But there is one thing to make clear from the outset.

That is: being pictured in images or mentioned in the files is not in itself a sign of wrongdoing.

While questions may be raised over any link that emerges, so far, all photos have been shared without context or caption.

Just being in them is not a sign of guilt on any count.

We will provide the full context in which anyone's name is mentioned, be it in an email, picture or otherwise, and outline any missing details.

The most recent photos have been published by Democrats on the Oversight Committee without captions or context.

When the full files are published, it won't initially be clear when or where the photos were taken.

Last night, Democrats on the House Oversight Committee released 68 more photos from Jeffrey Epstein's estate.

It was the latest limited drop of material since both houses voted to release the files last month.

The Democrats said the images were "selected to provide the public with transparency into a representative sample of the photos" and to "provide insights into Epstein's network and his extremely disturbing activities".

Some of those featured in last night's newly released images include former Israeli prime minister Ehud Barak, magician David Blaine, businessman Tom Pritzker, billionaire Bill Gates, director Woody Allen, talk show host Dick Cavett, Trump ally Steve Bannon, and Kuwait's former information minister Anas al Rasheed.

There is no suggestion of wrongdoing on the part of those pictured in the images - and the context surrounding the photos is not known.

You can scroll through the latest drop here...

However, they are a small sliver of the 95,000 images the Democrats have previously said they are looking over.

'1000$ per girl'

The latest cache includes a text message appearing to discuss the price for a girl.

It isn't clear who sent the messages and to whom, but the screenshot shows some details on an unidentified girl, described as a teenager here.

Lolita writing

Other pictures show handwritten messages on a person's body.

One appears to be quoting the opening paragraph of the book Lolita - which can be seen in the background of the picture.

The book was written by Vladimir Nabokov and tells the story of a girl groomed by a middle-aged literature professor.

Watch the latest here and read more below...

The deadline for Trump's government to release the Epstein files is 11.59pm US eastern time (4.59am tomorrow morning in the UK).

During his ultimately successful presidential campaign, Donald Trump promised to release the Epstein files.

However, he later U-turned, even going as far as calling the Epstein files a Democratic "hoax", before eventually changing path again.

The justice department has now left the decision to the last minute after the US president signed a bill from Congress on 20 November demanding the release of all the Epstein files.

The law set in motion a 30-day countdown to publish the files in full.

"I HAVE JUST SIGNED THE BILL TO RELEASE THE EPSTEIN FILES!" Trump said in a Truth Social post at the time, after a lengthy preamble aimed at discrediting the Democrats.

It came after the Senate finished formalities and sent the proposed legislation to the president's desk, having comfortably cleared a vote in the House of Representatives on 18 November.

That started the clock, giving the justice department 30 days to release the documents it holds on the paedophile financier.

What did the bill say must be released?

• All files relating to Epstein, including investigations, prosecutions or custodial matters;
• All files relating to Ghislaine Maxwell;
• Flight logs or travel records for any aircraft, vessel or vehicle owned, operated or used by Epstein or any related entity;
• Individuals named or referenced in connection with Epstein's criminal activities, civil settlements, immunity or plea agreements or investigations;
• Entities with known or alleged ties to Epstein's trafficking or financial networks;
• Any immunity deals, non-prosecution agreements, plea bargains or sealed settlements involving Epstein or his associates;
• Internal DOJ communications concerning decisions to charge, not charge, investigate or decline to investigate Epstein or his associates;
• All communications concerning the destruction, deletion, alteration, misplacement or concealment of files related to Epstein;
• Documentation of Epstein's detention or death, including witness interviews and post-mortem reports.