Files redaction denies justice to Epstein survivors

The deadline for the Department of Justice (DOJ) to release all of the files on sex criminal Jeffrey Epstein — with limited exceptions — has come and gone. Thousands of incriminating photos, texts, emails and other documentation were released by Dec. 19, the date the Epstein Files Transparency Act, passed by Congress and signed by President Donald Trump, mandated they be made public. 

But a significant number of files were not released, and many that were released are heavily redacted, i.e., large segments of text were blocked out. The explanations for the redactions, mandatory under the Act, have not been provided.

More documents were released after Dec. 19, but others have been removed from the web site containing the files.

Survivors of Epstein’s horrific sexual abuse have expressed outrage at once again being denied justice. “If everything is redacted, where is the transparency?” Marijke Chartouni asked. Marina Larcerda said: “We have been let down. We waited for this day to bring these other men who have been protected to justice.” Chartouni was abused when she was 20, Larcerda at age 14. (New York Times, Dec. 19)

There is much suspicion that the redactions and withholding of files are intended to protect Trump, other right-wingers and the very wealthy and powerful. A photo that included Trump was initially removed from the online site for the files, but was later restored after backlash over its exclusion.

The MAGA crowd is, opportunistically, taking advantage of photos that show former President Bill Clinton’s connections with Epstein. Nevertheless, the Epstein case exposes the fact that both Democrats and Republicans are guilty of sexually abusing women and girls. Wealthy capitalists, who back these politicians, protected and financed Epstein.

Sexual exploitation of women and gender-oppressed people — especially by the rich and powerful — is not new. That working-class and oppressed people are the most vulnerable is also not new. This has been going on since the advent of class society, where one class exploits another class to amass wealth and profit. From the routine rapes of enslaved Black women to sexual harassment and abuse of workers who fear losing their jobs, this cruel form of exploitation is part and parcel of U.S. history.

As Karl Marx pointed out, being determines consciousness. Very rich and politically powerful men are conscious of the entitlement that comes with their position. That entitlement includes being able to get away with sexual assault — only brought to light and resisted by grass roots movements such as the “Me Too” movement.

Workers World demands that all of the Epstein files be released. Justice for survivors now!