Justice Department Releases Large Tranche of Epstein Files

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The US Justice Department released files from investigations into notorious sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, the culmination of a push that has had repercussions for prominent business leaders and politicians, including President Donald Trump.

The disclosure came after Congress overwhelmingly passed legislation in November compelling the department to make the files public. Trump had long resisted the move but relented and signed the bill as pressure from Republican lawmakers forced his hand.

The law required the release of investigative records, flight logs, travel documents, immunity deals, internal department communications and papers related to Epstein’s 2019 death. But the measure also includes protections for survivors and allows exceptions for ongoing investigations.

The Justice Department organized a team of more than 200 attorneys to work on determining which materials were responsive to the new law, Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche wrote in a letter Friday to lawmakers.

“This process resulted in over 1,200 names being identified as victims or their relatives,” Blanche wrote in a letter reported by Fox News. The department redacted references to their names and any materials that could result in their identification, Blanche said.

However, Blanche also told lawmakers that “the volume of materials to be reviewed” meant it wasn’t possible to meet the law’s requirement to release all files by Friday. The department plans to complete the release of all files during the next two weeks, Blanche said.

Today's show features:

• Bloomberg News Senior Investigative Reporter Jason Leopold on the DOJ's Epstein files release
• Bloomberg News Senior Editor, Equities Americas Eric Weiner recaps the trading week
• Tye Brady, Chief Technologist at Amazon Robotics, on delivery preparations for customers during the holiday season using new robotic technology
• Dan Ahrens Portfolio Manager of the AdvisorShares Pure US Cannabis ETF, on what the Trump Administration’s push to reschedule marijuana as a less-dangerous drug means for pot stocks

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