The US Justice Department has released a fresh batch of documents linked to Jeffrey Epstein’s sex trafficking investigation, including photographs and records showing Bill Clinton, Ghislaine Maxwell and Michael Jackson in social settings with Epstein, CNN reported.

The documents were made public under the Epstein Files Transparency Act and include multiple pages and large datasets. While some material had been released earlier, other documents are “very likely to have never seen the light of day before,” CNN reported.

Among the notable revelations are images of former US President Bill Clinton swimming with Ghislaine Maxwell and relaxing in a hot tub with an unidentified person. Another photograph shows Michael Jackson posing with Epstein and Clinton.

The files also feature references to other prominent figures, including Mick Jagger, Woody Allen and Noam Chomsky.

Previously unseen photographs emerge

Several previously unreleased photographs of Bill Clinton with Epstein and his accomplice, Ghislaine Maxwell, form part of the disclosures.

One image shows pop icon Michael Jackson standing next to Epstein in front of a painting that appears to depict a naked woman. It is unclear when or where the photograph was taken.

Another photo shows Clinton with his arm around Jackson. A woman whose identity is redacted and Supreme’s singer Diana Ross are seen to their right. Epstein is not pictured, according to CNN.

Extensive redactions raise questions

The Justice Department said the files are heavily redacted to protect victims and ongoing investigations. In some cases, entire pages have been blacked out.

According to the DOJ, redactions go beyond what the law strictly requires. Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche said, “any material that contained personally identifiable information of victims, child sexual abuse materials, classified national defence or foreign policy information, or would jeopardise an active investigation.”

Earlier, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer criticised Blanche for stating that only some files would be released by the deadline, with more to follow later.

In an interview on Fox News, Blanche said “several hundred thousand” documents in the department’s possession would be released today, with additional material expected in the coming weeks.

US President Donald Trump signed legislation passed by Congress in November mandating the release of all non-exempt information from the Epstein files by December 19, CNN reported.

Scale of the document trove

At around 4 pm (local time), the Justice Department released part of the material. The overall trove includes thousands of apparently never-before-released documents, along with thousands of files already in the public domain through court cases, public records requests and congressional disclosures.

According to CNN, the release draws from DOJ disclosures, court records, public records requests and congressional releases.

Background: Epstein’s death

Jeffrey Epstein, a wealthy financier and convicted sex offender, was found dead in his jail cell in 2019 while awaiting trial on federal sex trafficking charges. His death was ruled a suicide by hanging, though it has continued to fuel questions and conspiracy theories.