Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has accused President Donald Trump’s administration of withholding information related to files connected to Jeffrey Epstein.
Speaking to the BBC during an appearance in Berlin at the annual World Forum, Clinton said the government should release the remaining materials without delay.
“Get the files out. They are slow-walking it,” she said.
Earlier this month, the US Department of Justice released millions of pages of documents related to Epstein following the passage of the Epstein Files Transparency Act. The law requires the department to disclose records connected to investigations into Epstein and his associates.
However, officials confirmed that about three million pages were not made public. The deputy attorney general said the withheld documents include personal medical records, graphic material involving abuse, and other content that could affect ongoing investigations.
White House Responds
The White House rejected Clinton’s criticism, stating that the administration has complied with the law and released the required materials.
In a statement, officials said the administration has done more for victims by releasing thousands of pages and cooperating with congressional oversight efforts. The White House also pointed to President Trump’s calls for additional investigations into individuals linked to Epstein.
Trump, who is mentioned in the released files, has denied any wrongdoing. When asked about Clinton’s remarks, he told the BBC he had nothing to hide.
“I’ve been exonerated. I had nothing to do with Jeffrey Epstein,” Trump said while speaking aboard Air Force One. He added that allegations previously raised against him were false and had been reviewed.
The Department of Justice has previously said that certain claims involving Trump were untrue and lacked credible evidence.
Congressional Hearings And Testimony
The issue has also led to renewed activity in Congress. Lawmakers have called for testimony from individuals whose names appear in the files, including high-profile public figures.
Clinton said that anyone asked to testify before Congress should do so. She and former President Bill Clinton have agreed to appear before a congressional committee later this month. Hillary Clinton is scheduled to testify one day before her husband.
The couple initially declined to appear, prompting discussions of a possible contempt vote in Congress. That vote was later shelved after they agreed to participate.
Clinton has urged that the hearing be held publicly rather than behind closed doors. “We will show up but we think it would be better to have it in public,” she said. “I just want it to be fair. I want everybody treated the same way.”
Republican committee chair James Comer previously accused the Clintons of delaying their appearance, though that criticism eased once they agreed to testify.
Names In The Files
Appearing in the Epstein files does not indicate wrongdoing. The documents include a wide range of references, including flight logs, contact lists, and investigative materials.
Among those mentioned in the broader Epstein records over the years are political leaders, business executives, and public figures. Bill Clinton has acknowledged that he knew Epstein decades ago but has said he cut off contact long before Epstein’s later criminal charges became public.
Hillary Clinton said she had met Ghislaine Maxwell, Epstein’s associate who was later convicted, on a few occasions. Neither Clinton has been accused of wrongdoing by survivors of Epstein’s abuse.
Prince Andrew, who has faced scrutiny over his past links to Epstein, has also denied any wrongdoing. He reached an out-of-court settlement in 2022 with Virginia Giuffre, who had accused him of misconduct. The settlement included no admission of liability.
Ongoing Debate Over Transparency
Some lawmakers argue that the Justice Department should release even more information, including internal memos explaining past decisions about whether to charge Epstein and others connected to him.
Kentucky Representative Thomas Massie, who co-authored the transparency law, has called for additional disclosures to ensure full accountability.
Epstein died in a New York jail in 2019 while awaiting trial on federal trafficking charges. His case has continued to generate public interest and debate about how authorities handled investigations over the years.
Clinton said she believes the controversy surrounding her and her husband is being used as a distraction from other matters. Still, she reiterated that she supports full transparency.
“We have nothing to hide,” she said. “We think sunlight is the best disinfectant.”
The debate over what should be released and when is likely to continue as congressional hearings move forward.
