Release of Epstein Documents Faces Further Delays
On Wednesday, the Justice Department announced that completing the disclosure of all files related to Jeffrey Epstein could require "a few more weeks," extending beyond the congressional deadline set for December 19.
The department noted that the U.S. attorney's office in Manhattan and the FBI have identified over a million additional documents potentially relevant to the Epstein case. It did not specify when these new files were discovered.
Justice Department attorneys are described as "working around the clock" to review materials and apply necessary redactions under the law, which Congress passed with near-unanimous support last month.
"We will release the documents as soon as possible," the department stated. "Due to the mass volume of material, this process may take a few more weeks."
Senators Push for Independent Audit
A group of U.S. senators is urging the Justice Department's watchdog to investigate the failure to meet the deadline for releasing all records concerning the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. They argue victims "deserve full disclosure" and the "peace of mind" from an independent audit.
Republican Senator Lisa Murkowski of Alaska joined 11 Democrats in signing a letter on Wednesday, calling on Acting Inspector General Don Berthiaume to audit compliance with the Epstein Files Transparency Act. This law, enacted last month, mandates the government to open its files on Epstein and his longtime associate Ghislaine Maxwell.
"Given the (Trump) Administration's historic hostility to releasing the files, politicization of the Epstein case more broadly, and failure to comply with the Epstein Files Transparency Act, a neutral assessment of its compliance with the statutory disclosure requirements is essential," the senators wrote. They emphasized that full transparency "is essential in identifying members of our society who enabled and participated in Epstein's crimes."
Murkowski, along with Democratic Senators Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut and Jeff Merkley of Oregon, led the letter-writing effort. Other signatories included Democratic senators from various states.
Criticism and Ongoing Releases
Republican Representative Thomas Massie of Kentucky, a co-sponsor of the transparency act, posted on X on Wednesday: "DOJ did break the law by making illegal redactions and by missing the deadline."
Despite the deadline, the Justice Department plans to release records gradually, citing the time needed to protect survivors' identities. Additional batches were posted over the weekend and on Tuesday, with no timeline provided for future releases.
"The reason why we are still reviewing documents and still continuing our process is simply that to protect victims," Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche told NBC's "Meet the Press" on Sunday. "So the same individuals that are out there complaining about the lack of documents that were produced on Friday are the same individuals who apparently don't want us to protect victims."
Released records include photographs, interview transcripts, call logs, and court documents, many of which were already public or heavily redacted. New materials feature grand jury testimony from FBI agents describing interviews with individuals who reported being paid for sex acts with Epstein.
Other recently disclosed documents include a 2020 note from a federal prosecutor indicating former President Trump flew on Epstein's private plane more frequently than previously known, and emails between Maxwell and someone using the initial "A," possibly referencing Britain's former Prince Andrew.
The senators' call for an audit follows a resolution by Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., which, if passed, would direct the Senate to pursue legal action to enforce disclosure requirements. Schumer criticized the staggered, redacted release as "a blatant cover-up."
