Justice Department Expands Epstein Document Review to 5.2 Million Files, Adds Hundreds of Attorneys

The Department of Justice has dramatically expanded its review of documents related to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein to 5.2 million files while adding hundreds of attorneys to the effort, according to a person briefed on a letter sent to U.S. Attorneys. The massive review continues more than a week past the congressionally mandated December 19 deadline for releasing the materials.

Over 400 attorneys are now assigned to the case, reflecting the extraordinary resources being devoted to reviewing documents concerning Epstein and his longtime girlfriend Ghislaine Maxwell. Despite this surge in legal manpower, the Justice Department does not expect to release additional documents until January 20 or 21, according to the source, who spoke on condition of anonymity.

The expanding scope and resource commitment highlights how the Epstein investigation will remain a significant focus for Congress and the White House, virtually guaranteeing it continues as a potent political issue as the country moves toward midterm elections.

Todd Blanche, the deputy attorney general, emphasized the administration is taking an “all-hands-on-deck approach” to the review. “Lawyers from the Justice Department in Washington, the FBI, the Southern District of Florida, and the Southern District of New York are working around the clock,” Blanche said Wednesday. “We’re asking as many lawyers as possible to commit their time to review the documents that remain.”

Blanche acknowledged the challenges of the process, noting, “Required redactions to protect victims take time, but they will not stop these materials from being released.”

The delay has nonetheless created political pressure for Attorney General Pam Bondi. Rep. Thomas Massie, a Kentucky Republican who helped spearhead the law mandating the document release, openly questioned on social media whether Bondi should face impeachment.

Democrats are exploring their legal options while capitalizing on an issue that has created divisions within the Republican Party and periodically challenged President Donald Trump’s administration. Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer claimed on social media that the latest figures “shows Bondi, Blanche, and others at the DOJ have been lying to the American people about the Epstein files since day one,” pointing out that documents released thus far represent only a small fraction of the total.

Despite the missed deadline, some key lawmakers appear willing to allow more time for the process. Rep. Ro Khanna, a California Democrat who co-led the effort to pass the disclosure law, told The Associated Press that the expanding review demonstrates the legislation is working.

“We are willing to give DOJ a few extra weeks to comply, provided they release the survivors’ statements to the FBI naming the other rich and powerful men who abused them or covered up and the prosecution memos about charges that were dropped against Epstein and co-conspirators,” Khanna said. “When all the information comes out, this will shock the conscience of the nation.”

Rep. Massie has similarly called for the release of victim statements given to the FBI, suggesting these could reveal the names of influential business figures and political donors who were involved or complicit in Epstein’s abuse. Both lawmakers argue that the expanding disclosure indicates more people were involved beyond Epstein and Maxwell.

The Trump administration has struggled with the Epstein matter for much of the past year. While the content of upcoming file releases remains unknown, they will likely provide Democrats with continued material to press the issue.

Documents released just before Christmas confirmed Trump flew on Epstein’s private jet in the 1990s during their friendship, which ended in a falling out. However, these files revealed little new information about their relationship. The initial document release also included several photos of former President Bill Clinton with women whose faces were redacted.

House Oversight Committee Republicans have focused on Clinton connections and are attempting to compel both former President Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton to appear for depositions in January.

Democrats continue to argue that the Trump administration’s handling of the Epstein files demonstrates untrustworthiness and greater concern for protecting the wealthy and famous than serving working-class voters.

“Unlike the President, we don’t care who’s in the files,” said Rep. Robert Garcia, the top Democrat on the oversight panel, in a social media post. “Anyone that’s involved in the abuse of women and girls should be held accountable.”