DOJ Uncovers Over 1 Million Potential Epstein Records, Delaying Release

The Department of Justice announced Wednesday it has discovered an additional cache of over one million documents related to Jeffrey Epstein that require review, potentially delaying the full release of files by several weeks beyond the already-missed deadline.

“We have lawyers working around the clock to review and make the legally required redactions to protect victims, and we will release the documents as soon as possible,” the DOJ stated on social media. The agency acknowledged that processing this “mass volume of material” could extend the timeline by “a few more weeks.”

This unexpected development comes after the DOJ had already begun releasing tens of thousands of pages related to Epstein’s and Ghislaine Maxwell’s sex-trafficking cases on a public website since last Friday. The two components that just delivered the additional documents were the FBI and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York, which have been central to the Epstein investigations over the years.

The release stems from the Epstein Files Transparency Act, which President Trump signed into law on November 19. The legislation gave the Justice Department a 30-day window to review and publish all unclassified materials connected to the cases, a deadline that passed last Friday.

The delay has sparked significant criticism from lawmakers and transparency advocates. Critics have voiced concerns not only about the missed deadline but also about what many perceive as excessive redactions in the documents already released.

Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche defended the delay during a “Meet the Press” appearance on Sunday, citing “well-settled law” that supports extending the timeline to fulfill other legal obligations, particularly the protection of victim identities.

The transparency legislation specifically requires the DOJ to withhold information that could identify victims or compromise ongoing investigations and litigation. It also permits withholding material that could impact national defense or foreign policy. However, the bill includes an unusual provision explicitly directing the department to keep visible any details that might be damaging to high-profile or politically connected individuals.

The Epstein files have generated intense public interest due to the disgraced financier’s connections to numerous powerful figures across business, politics, and entertainment. Epstein was found dead in federal custody in 2019 while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges. His associate Ghislaine Maxwell was subsequently convicted in 2021 for her role in facilitating his abuse of underage girls.

This latest delay represents another chapter in the complicated effort to bring transparency to a case that has been shrouded in secrecy and controversy for years. The DOJ has emphasized its commitment to “fully comply with federal law and President Trump’s direction to release the files,” despite the extended timeline.

The staggered release of documents has already generated headlines, including what the DOJ described as “untrue and sensationalist claims” about former President Trump that appeared in some of the files.

Congressional oversight of the release process is likely to intensify as lawmakers from both parties have demanded accountability and complete transparency regarding the Epstein case. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer has accused the DOJ of breaking the law by missing the deadline specified in the legislation.

As the public awaits the complete release of these documents, the DOJ’s handling of the process continues to face scrutiny, particularly regarding decisions about what information to redact and how quickly to make the materials available to the public.