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Conservative reactions to the partial release of files involving the Epstein case have been sharply divided, with some backers of the former Trump administration highlighting the prominent appearance of Bill Clinton and additional Democrats in photographs, while different voices lamented how heavy redactions cast former President Trump and GOP members in a negative manner.

Justice Department Justifies Censorship with Fervent Hyperbole

Justice Department officials justified the redactions with intense hyperbole. “Never in U.S. history has a Commander-in-Chief or the Justice Department been this transparent with the public about such a sensitive law enforcement matter,” stated Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche, who issued a six-page memo outlining the redaction procedure.

Concerns Prompted by Redactions

While Trump's identity and image appear in some of the documents, the widespread black blocks prompt serious questions about the information may be hidden beneath them. A number of Republicans swiftly demanded increased transparency.

“The public are furious and disengaging,” posted Republican Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene.

In a online statement, GOP Congressman Thomas Massie said the redactions break the law, and suggested that a future Congress may move to remove the Attorney General, Pam Bondi, for that offense. “Regrettably, this document release grossly fails to adhere to both the intent and the letter of the law,” he added.

Some Rightwing Figures Swing Behind the Disclosure

But, a segment of conservative pundits and former President loyalists came out strongly in support of the administration.

The disclosed materials—originating from a DOJ run by close Trump associate Pam Bondi—includes hundreds of documents that are completely censored, and numerous of the individuals shown in photographs have their identities blacked out.

But some do not, including high-profile figures like Clinton, entertainer Michael Jackson, and academic Noam Chomsky. The presence of Clinton, especially, enabled some rightwing voices to go on the offensive.

“It’s quite ironic how the Democrats falsely claimed President Trump of being a pedophile, only for the Trump DOJ to release documents that depict Bill Clinton skinny dipping with a convicted sex offender,” stated right-wing activist Laura Loomer.

“Recently released documents show Bill Clinton shirtless in a hot tub with a woman that is not his spouse Hillary Clinton,” wrote lawyer Rogan O’Handley. “There’s only 1 explanation Epstein would photograph a Commander-in-Chief with a young woman in a jacuzzi: Blackmail.”

Clinton Spokesperson Releases Statement

Bill Clinton has repeatedly stated he was aware of zero illegal actions by Epstein and has never been accused to have engaged in any misconduct. “The administration has not been hiding these files for an extended period only to release them late on a Friday to shield Bill Clinton,” his spokesperson Angel Ureña said in a statement.

“The release is about shielding officials from what comes next, or from information they will try and conceal permanently. So they can publicize as many grainy 20-plus-year-old photographs as they desire, but this is not about Bill Clinton. Not previously, never will be,” the statement added.

Overall Conservative Comment Seems Muted

Nonetheless, overall comment on the political right was comparatively muted after the release, particularly when compared with the loud demands for transparency that came before the legislative approval to enact a bill mandating the files' publication.

Loomer, who not long ago accepted press credentials at the Defense Department, had been one of the most vocal advocates for a complete disclosure. In February, she criticized the Justice Department generally and Bondi specifically after a group of rightwing personalities were given hard-copy binders of files that included no previously unseen data.