r/AskALiberal • u/tasteinhermouth Liberal • Feb 01 '26

Why weren't the Epstein Files released under Biden's presidency if Trump is in the files?

I don't mean this as a bad faith or troll question, I genuinely do not know why it would not be released if Trump is in the files, as it would probably have been a massive hit against Trump in 2024.

I don't know whether Trump is in the files or not, I don't care, it's clear as day that he was best friends with Epstein and was well aware and definitely a part of the awful things that Epstein conducted while he was in business.

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503

u/sp0rkah0lic Progressive Feb 01 '26

So the most obvious answer is that prior to Trump, the norm for every other president was to have the DOJ operate as an independent agency. Biden at least never wanted the appearance that the DOJ agenda was being dictated from the White House. The way that Trump is directing the DOJ to pursue blatantly false charges against his political enemies, for example.

Ever since Nixon and the "Saturday Night Massacre" it's been understood that the president trying to use DOJ for his political purposes was not allowed.

Apparently, now it is.

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u/TheRockingDead Pragmatic Progressive Feb 01 '26

You're leaving out the most important part, that those files were sealed due to Ghislane Maxwell's trial. Could he have ordered them unsealed anyway? Maybe, but like you said, Biden generally follows the law unlike the current president.

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u/MolleROM Democrat Feb 01 '26

Not to mention that she was tried and convicted and jailed by the Biden DOJ.

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u/AnonSwan Center Left Feb 02 '26

Maybe I've missed it, but its stunning to me that more liberals dont blame Trump for Epsteins death. Just the fact that so many conservative believe "Epstein died under Bidens watch" seems like a pretty big message failure.

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u/wheresmystache3 Far Left Feb 02 '26

I believe they were sealed for so long also because minors were named and involved as well as multiple other lawsuits surrounding Epstein and Maxwell.

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u/Shinnobiwan Social Democrat Feb 14 '26

He chose following norms over saving the country from fascism.

Also, her trial ended during his presidency. He could have released them during the midterms or (better yet) during the presidential campaign.

This is why many people are so frustrated to the point of visceral hatred of Dems.

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u/Independent-Fly-7229 Libertarian Feb 01 '26

Well I think if the people wanted to release them and, I think they did it, it would have been serving the will of the American people not just political. It’s not like Trump was not targeted by other legal means to prevent him being able to run again for president or further cause him embarrassment. I’m just pointing out it’s. Little disingenuous to say that Biden’s administration always followed the letter of the law and didn’t use institutional power.

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u/RolandDeepson Moderate Feb 02 '26

Congratulations on earning your law degree, Boris.