Democrats on the House Oversight Committee released new images and videos of Jeffrey Epstein's private island on Wednesday. The materials, described as offering a "disturbing look" into Epstein's world, were made public as Ghislaine Maxwell's attorneys argued against the release of grand jury transcripts related to her criminal case.

The released content includes still images and short videos taken by the U.S. Virgin Islands government in 2020 during civil litigation against Epstein's estate. The images do not depict any individuals but showcase various rooms and features of the estate. One notable image shows a room with a dental chair and several masks on the wall. Other images include a blackboard with the words "Power" and "Deception," a desktop computer displaying surveillance footage, and a close-up of a telephone with speed dial buttons for Epstein's employees.

Rep. Robert Garcia, the top Democrat on the committee, stated, "We are releasing these photos and videos to ensure public transparency in our investigation and to help piece together the full picture of Epstein’s horrific crimes." He emphasized the importance of public access to the materials, inviting the public to view the images.

The release of the initial dozen images and four short videos drew criticism from Republicans on the committee. They accused Democrats of seeking headlines by presenting previously published materials as "never-before-seen." Following this, more than 100 additional images and videos were released. A GOP spokesperson noted that the committee has received around 5,000 documents related to the investigation and plans to make them public soon.

In a separate legal matter, Maxwell's attorneys filed a motion in New York federal court arguing against the unsealing of grand jury transcripts. They stated that while Maxwell does not formally oppose the Justice Department's request, releasing the materials could jeopardize her chances for a fair retrial. Maxwell is currently serving a 20-year sentence after being convicted in 2021 of aiding Epstein in the abuse of underage girls.

Maxwell's lawyers expressed concern that the release of untested allegations could create undue prejudice against her. They noted that she intends to file a habeas petition, which could lead to a new trial. The Justice Department has previously cited the ongoing nature of Maxwell's case as a reason to withhold certain records from public release.

The Epstein estate settled its litigation with the U.S. Virgin Islands in 2022, agreeing to pay $105 million and a portion of the proceeds from the sale of Epstein's properties. The recent release of materials follows the passage of the Epstein Transparency Act, which mandates the Justice Department to release unclassified files related to Epstein within 30 days. However, the department retains the authority to withhold or redact certain information under specific exemptions.