What have we learned from the newly released Epstein files?

The US Justice Department has released over 3 million pages of documents related to the investigation of Jeffrey Epstein, a convicted child sex offender. This release is the largest since the passage of the Epstein Files Transparency Act last year, which mandated the publication of these documents. The files include more than 2,000 videos and approximately 180,000 images, although many of these materials will have extensive redactions. Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche announced the release during a news conference, stating that the Trump administration had produced roughly 3.5 million pages in compliance with the act. The newly released documents indicate that several high-profile figures maintained friendships with Epstein even after his 2008 conviction for child sex offenses. Among those mentioned is Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, the former prince. Additionally, celebrities such as Jay-Z, Harvey Weinstein, and Pusha T are noted in the latest batch of documents. However, the mentions of these celebrities did not originate from Epstein’s personal records or corroborated law enforcement reports. The release of these documents has prompted skepticism among some Democrats regarding the Justice Department's claim that all relevant files have been disclosed. The extensive nature of the release, including a significant amount of commercial pornography and images seized from Epstein's devices, has raised questions about the completeness and transparency of the information provided.