The U.S. Justice Department released transcripts on Friday from interviews with Ghislaine Maxwell, the former girlfriend of Jeffrey Epstein, who is currently imprisoned. This move comes as the Trump administration seeks to demonstrate transparency amid criticism for not disclosing a significant amount of records related to the sex-trafficking case involving Epstein.

The release of these transcripts is part of the administration's efforts to address political fallout from previous failures to meet public expectations. Officials hope that by making public two days of interviews, they can temporarily quell the anger from President Donald Trump’s supporters, even as they continue to withhold other evidence that had been suggested for release.

In the transcripts, Maxwell recalls her first encounter with Trump, which she believes may have occurred in 1990. At that time, her father, Robert Maxwell, owned the New York Daily News and was reportedly friendly with Trump. "I may have met Donald Trump at that time, because my father was friendly with him and liked him very much," Maxwell stated. She also mentioned that her father appreciated Trump's then-wife, Ivana, due to their shared Czechoslovakian heritage.

The release of the transcripts follows a series of events surrounding the Epstein case, which has drawn significant public interest due to Epstein's connections with high-profile individuals, including Trump, former President Bill Clinton, and Prince Andrew.

In related news, the House Oversight Committee has received a substantial batch of documents from the Justice Department, totaling 33,000 pages. A spokesperson for the committee indicated that these records will be made public after a thorough review to ensure the protection of victims' identities and sensitive material.

The committee's actions come in response to public outcry regarding the administration's handling of Epstein-related information. House Democrats have played a role in pushing for the release of these documents, which include subpoenas for records from various officials, including every living U.S. attorney general.

As the situation develops, the Trump administration continues to navigate the complexities of the Epstein case and its implications for political accountability.