President Donald Trump publicly criticized the Justice Department on Sunday over its decision to release photos tied to the Jeffrey Epstein investigation, saying he opposes the public display of images involving people who were not charged with crimes.
According to the New York Post, while speaking to reporters, Trump addressed newly released photographs showing former President Bill Clinton swimming while vacationing with Epstein associate Ghislaine Maxwell.
The images surfaced as part of the broader disclosure of Epstein-related records.
“No, I don’t like the pictures of Bill Clinton being shown,” Trump said. “I don’t like the pictures of other people being shown. I think it’s a terrible thing.”
Trump went on to caution against the implications of releasing such material, noting that not everyone photographed with Epstein had any involvement in his criminal activity.
“But you probably have pictures being exposed of other people that innocently met Jeffrey Epstein years ago,” he added.
The comments come amid renewed scrutiny surrounding the Epstein files, which the Justice Department was required to make public under a transparency law Trump signed into effect last month. The statute compelled federal agencies to release certain sealed materials related to Epstein and his network.
The release has reignited debate over where to draw the line between transparency and reputational harm, particularly for high-profile figures whose interactions with Epstein may have been social or incidental.
Trump’s remarks underscore that tension, as the disclosures continue to ripple through political and media circles while the Justice Department faces criticism from multiple directions over how the information has been handled.
