By Anna CommanderShareNewsweek is a Trust Project memberFormer President Bill Clinton can be seen in numerous images released by the Department of Justice (DOJ) on Friday in relation to the Epstein Files Transparency Act.
Newsweek reached out to Clinton's office via online form on Friday evening for comment.
Why It Matters
The release of the DOJ Epstein files marks a critical moment in yearslong efforts to uncover the scope and network of sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, who died in a New York City jail cell in 2019.
Among the thousands of documents and images released on Friday, several photographs feature the former president and other public figures in various social settings alongside Epstein and his associate Ghislaine Maxwell.
These disclosures, mandated under the bipartisan Epstein Files Transparency Act, have intensified scrutiny of the relationships between Epstein and high-profile individuals and triggered renewed calls for government transparency and accountability, especially regarding the protection of survivors and the future of redacted material.
How to Access the Epstein Files
The DOJ complied with a congressional deadline to release thousands of files related to its investigation into Epstein, posting the documents to a new section of its website, labeled “Epstein Files Transparency Act."
Several Pictures of Bill Clinton Released From Epstein Files: What to Know
Some of the images depict Clinton in poolside and social settings, such as a hot tub and cultural gatherings with Epstein, Maxwell and other guests, though the times and locations are not specified.
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...The files were released under the Epstein Files Transparency Act, passed overwhelmingly by Congress and signed by President Donald Trump in November. The law mandates the declassification and publication of all investigative materials concerning Epstein, with redactions only to protect the privacy of victims or sensitive information related to ongoing investigations.
The DOJ said it made “all reasonable efforts” to shield victims' identities, in part in a privacy notice on its website. Many documents, such as the so-called “Masseuses" List, remain heavily redacted, and large portions of the released materials are also censored.
The release follows an earlier publication of estate-sourced photographs by House Oversight Democrats, which also depicted Clinton, Trump, Prince Andrew, Bill Gates, Steve Bannon and others in social settings with Epstein. None have been accused of wrongdoing in relation to Epstein’s crimes.
Clinton spokesperson Angel Ureña said in November after Trump announced he would ask the DOJ to investigate the former Democratic president's ties to Epstein: "These emails prove Bill Clinton did nothing and knew nothing. The rest is noise meant to distract from election losses, backfiring shutdowns, and who knows what else."
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...What People Are Saying
Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche, on X Friday: "Today, the Department of Justice publicly released materials related to Jeffrey Epstein under the Epstein Files Transparency Act. Additional responsive materials will be produced as our review continues, consistent with the law and with protections for victims. http://justice.gov/epstein"
White House Deputy Press Secretary Abigail Jackson, on X Friday: "Per the Epstein Files Transparency Act, DOJ was specifically instructed only to redact the faces of victims and/or minors. Here is a picture of Bill Clinton, Ghislaine Maxwell, and a redacted individual."
Democratic Representative Ro Khanna of California, on X Friday: "The DOJ’s document dump of hundreds of thousands of pages failed to comply with the law authored by @RepThomasMassie and me. One document, 119 pages of Grand Jury testimony, was completely redacted. I explain what is missing and what the survivors and their lawyers are still expecting to be released."
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...What Happens Next
The full implications of the Epstein files' release remain uncertain as Blanche announced further uploads would arrive after review.
Update 12/19/25, 8:08 p.m. ET: This article has been updated with additional information.
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