U.S. President Donald Trump has criticised the release of photographs linking former President Bill Clinton to the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, calling the move a political distraction by Democrats.
Speaking to reporters, Trump said he disapproved of the focus on the images.
“I don't like the pictures of Bill Clinton being shown. I don't like the pictures of other people being shown. I think it's a terrible thing,” he said.
Trump added that “Bill Clinton is a big boy. He can handle it,” while also noting that photographs of other individuals who “innocently met Jeffrey Epstein years ago, many years ago” are being made public.
"This whole thing with Epstein is a way of trying to deflect from the tremendous success that the Republican Party has,” the U.S. President concluded.
The Justice Department began releasing thousands of pages of records on Friday, 19 December, under the bipartisan Epstein Files Transparency Act — a law that mandated full public disclosure of previously sealed investigative materials.
Trump, who has signed legislation, has denied any wrongdoing and says he was unaware of Epstein’s criminal activities.
The initial tranche was heavily redacted and incomplete, drawing criticism from both Democrats and some Republicans for failing to meet the law’s deadline and transparency requirements.
Critics pointed to at least 16 files that disappeared from the DOJ’s public webpage within a day of posting, including images showing Trump with Epstein, Melania Trump and Ghislaine Maxwell, which fuelled accusations of selective disclosure and possible political interference.
The DOJ defended the omissions and redactions, saying they were reviewing materials to protect victims, and on 21 December restored one previously removed photo after determining it contained no images of survivors.
Push for full release
Representatives Thomas Massie and Ro Khanna of California, along with other unnamed lawmakers, said they are collaborating on efforts to obtain documents related to investigations of Jeffrey Epstein.
The two lawmakers stated that if necessary, they would seek contempt of Congress charges in the House of Representatives against Attorney General Pam Bondi next month, according to an interview on MS Now.
They added that if their demands were not met following a "30-day grace period," they would push for Congress to impose fines of up to $5,000 per day until the documents are released.
Moweover, Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer has said he will seek to hold the DOJ accountable for what lawmakers call “inadequate” disclosure.
Lawmakers have warned that the controversy surrounding the partial release of Epstein files, including the focus on former President Bill Clinton in many of the published photos, could continue to loom over U.S. politics and affect public opinion ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.
Oil prices fell after the U.S. expanded economic sanctions on Iran, as Tehran vowed to retaliate and warned it had tools to respond, raising concer...
Kyiv has recently received a small number of U.S.-made Patriot interceptors capable of downing Russian ballistic miss...
Canada has announced nearly $20 billion in retaliatory tariffs on U.S. goods and billions in support for workers and businesses, escalating its tra...
Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Monday that Kyiv wants peace but will not surrender to Russia, as foreign leaders joined Independence Day events marking 35 years since Ukraine’s independence.
Oil prices fell after the U.S. expanded economic sanctions on Iran, as Tehran vowed to retaliate and warned it had tools to respond, raising concerns over potential disruption to regional oil supplies.
A newly created pro-government political party has secured a commanding victory in Kazakhstan's snap parliamentary election, according to exit polls, strengthening President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev's influence at a pivotal moment in the country's political transition.
Only four commodity vessels crossed the Strait of Hormuz on Sunday, following 13 transits a day earlier, as disruptions continue to restrict traffic through the key energy chokepoint.
Kyiv has recently received a small number of U.S.-made Patriot interceptors capable of downing Russian ballistic missiles, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said. It comes as Britain and France pledged stronger military support for Ukraine.
Kyiv has recently received a small number of U.S.-made Patriot interceptors capable of downing Russian ballistic missiles, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said. It comes as Britain and France pledged stronger military support for Ukraine.
Canada has announced nearly $20 billion in retaliatory tariffs on U.S. goods and billions in support for workers and businesses, escalating its trade dispute with Washington after President Donald Trump's latest duties took effect.
Pakistani exporters are facing soaring shipping costs to the U.S., with freight rates more than tripling on some routes as the Iran-U.S. conflict drives up war-risk insurance and fuel costs.
The trial of a Libyan man accused of building the bomb that destroyed Pan Am Flight 103 over the Scottish town of Lockerbie in 1988, killing 270 people, has been postponed by a U.S. federal judge.
France and Saudi Arabia have agreed on plans for a $7 billion manga-themed amusement complex near Paris, inspired by the hugely popular Japanese franchise Dragon Ball Z.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment