Former US President Bill Clinton has issued a forceful demand for the complete and immediate release of all documents related to the Jeffrey Epstein case, following his prominent appearance in a recent batch of released photographs.
Clinton's Allegation of Protection
In a statement released on December 22, 2025, through his spokesperson Angel Ureña, Clinton accused the Department of Justice of a selective disclosure strategy. He asserted that the manner of the release strongly suggests 'someone or something is being protected.' Clinton's spokesman emphasised that while they do not know the identity or motive behind this alleged protection, the former president requires no such safeguarding himself.
The statement included a direct call to former President Donald Trump, urging him to instruct Attorney General Pam Bondi to 'immediately release any remaining materials referring to, mentioning, or containing a photograph of Bill Clinton.' The Clinton team framed the partial document dump as an attempt to imply wrongdoing about individuals who have been previously cleared by the DOJ over many years.
Justice Department Defends Its Stance
The demand from Clinton comes after Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche defended the Justice Department's decision to release only a fraction of the Epstein files by the congressionally mandated deadline. Blanche, appearing on NBC's 'Meet the Press,' stated the cautious approach was necessary to protect survivors of sexual abuse by the disgraced financier.
He pledged that the Trump administration would eventually meet its full legal obligation but stressed the department's duty to handle thousands of documents containing sensitive information with extreme care. Blanche characterised criticism from Democrats as disingenuous, arguing that 'the same individuals that are out there complaining about the lack of documents... are the same individuals who apparently don't want us to protect victims.'
Political Fallout and Transparency Struggles
The partial release on Friday has ignited a fresh wave of criticism, primarily from Democrats who accuse the Republican administration of obscuring information. This controversy adds to the ongoing struggles of the Trump administration regarding calls for greater transparency around the Epstein investigations, which have also come from within the president's own political base.
Jeffrey Epstein's circle once included numerous high-profile figures from politics, business, and entertainment, including Donald Trump himself. The slow and partial release of files continues to fuel speculation and political tension, with key figures like Bill Clinton now publicly challenging the process and motives behind it.
