New photos of Epstein's private island released by House Democrats

Democrats on the House Oversight Committee have released "never-before-seen" photos and videos of Jeffrey Epstein’s private island.

Committee members announced Wednesday that the new images from Epstein’s compound in the U.S. Virgin Islands provide "a harrowing look behind Epstein’s closed doors."

Epstein island photos released

What they're saying:

"This production is in response to an Oversight Committee request to the U.S. Virgin Islands Department of Justice for additional information to aid in the ongoing Committee investigation into Jeffrey Epstein’s crimes," House Oversight Democrats said in a statement. "The Committee also received records from J.P. Morgan and Deutsche Bank. Oversight Democrats intend to release files to the public after review in the days ahead."

RELATED: Here's who voted against releasing the Epstein files

"Mr. President, release the files, NOW," Rep. Robert Garcia wrote on X. "His Administration may think they can get away with illegal actions, but we’re going to hold them accountable."

The other side:

The White House has not yet responded to the release from House Democrats. 

When will the Epstein files be released?

Timeline:

After months of public outcry and political back-and-forth, Congress has passed and President Donald Trump has signed legislation compelling the Justice Department to give the public everything it has on Epstein. The files have to be released by Dec. 19. 

The backstory:

Epstein, a wealthy financier, was known for socializing with celebrities, politicians, billionaires and the academic elite, including Trump and former President Bill Clinton. He was first accused of sexually abusing underage girls in 2005, but Epstein made a secret deal with the U.S. attorney in Florida to avoid federal charges, enabling him to plead guilty in 2008 to a relatively minor state-level prostitution charge. He served 13 months in a jail work-release program.

RELATED: Epstein emails say Trump 'spent hours' with one of Epstein's victims

In 2019, Manhattan federal prosecutors revived the case and charged Epstein with sex trafficking, alleging he sexually abused dozens of girls. He killed himself in jail a month after his arrest.

Epstein’s longtime confidante and former girlfriend Ghislaine Maxwell is serving a 20-year prison sentence for helping recruit some of his underage victims. 

What’s in the Epstein files?

Dig deeper:

The law, dubbed the Epstein Files Transparency Act, mandates the Justice Department to release all unclassified documents and investigative materials, including files relating to immunity deals and internal communications about whom to charge or investigate.

According to The Associated Press, the files could include notes and reports written by FBI agents; transcripts of witness interviews, photographs, videos and other evidence; Epstein’s autopsy report; and some material that may already be public, such as flight logs and travel records.

The law allows the Justice Department to withhold or redact records that, if made public, would constitute "a clearly unwarranted invasion of personal privacy." It also bars the release of any materials depicting the sexual abuse of children, or images of death, physical abuse, or injury.

That means that if videos or photos exist of Epstein or anyone else sexually abusing underage girls, they can’t be made public. But the law also makes clear that no records shall be withheld or redacted — meaning certain parts are blacked out — solely because their release would cause embarrassment or reputational harm to any public figure, government official or foreign dignitary.

Click here for more photos and videos of Epstein’s private island compound.

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