Former President Bill Clinton’s deputy chief of staff, Angel Ureña, has responded to the Justice Department’s December 19 release of documents and photos connected to the investigation of the late sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein. The materials were made public under the Epstein Files Transparency Act, signed into law by President Donald Trump on November 19. In a statement posted on X, Ureña rejected claims that the timing of the release was meant to protect Clinton, arguing instead that the administration released the files late on a Friday to shield itself from future scrutiny.
Ureña emphasized that Clinton cut off contact with Epstein before his crimes became publicly known. He drew a distinction between those who severed ties early and those who allegedly maintained relationships afterward, stating that Clinton belongs to the first group. According to Ureña, releasing decades-old, grainy photos does not change that reality and does not implicate Clinton in Epstein’s criminal activities, which Clinton has repeatedly denied knowing about or participating in.
The released files included photos of Clinton in social settings with Epstein, Ghislaine Maxwell, and other individuals, often with faces redacted. The White House noted that redactions were required to protect victims and minors. While many public figures appear in the documents, officials stressed that inclusion alone does not imply wrongdoing, as the law mandates disclosure while still protecting victims and sensitive information.