The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) announced on Wednesday its need for an additional "few more weeks" to release all records related to the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. This adjustment in the timeline follows the discovery of over a million new potentially relevant documents, which has further delayed compliance with a congressionally mandated deadline from last Friday.
Congressional Pressure and Audit Request
This announcement occurred on Christmas Eve, hours after a bipartisan group of twelve U.S. senators formally requested the Justice Department's inspector general to investigate the department's failure to meet the initial deadline. In a letter to Acting Inspector General Don Berthiaume, the senators emphasized that victims "deserve full disclosure" and "the peace of mind" of an independent audit.
Discovery of New Documents and Prior Statements
The Justice Department stated via a social media post that federal prosecutors in Manhattan and the FBI "have uncovered over a million more documents" potentially linked to the Epstein case. This development follows previous statements from department officials. In March, Attorney General Pam Bondi indicated that a "truckload of evidence" had been produced after she directed the FBI to "deliver the full and complete Epstein files to my office." In July, the FBI and Justice Department issued an unsigned memo stating that an "exhaustive review" had been completed and no additional evidence should be released. The Wednesday announcement did not specify when the department was informed of these newly located files.
Document Review and Release Process
Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche noted last week that Manhattan federal prosecutors already possessed over 3.6 million records from sex trafficking investigations involving Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell, though many were copies of material previously provided by the FBI.
The DOJ indicated that its lawyers are "working around the clock" to review the recently discovered documents. This process includes redacting victims' names and other identifying information, as mandated by the Epstein Files Transparency Act. The department stated, "We will release the documents as soon as possible. Due to the mass volume of material, this process may take a few more weeks."
Lawmaker Reactions and White House Response
The delayed and staggered release of Epstein-related records has drawn scrutiny from victims and members of Congress. Representative Thomas Massie (R-Kentucky), a co-author of the transparency law, stated on X: "DOJ did break the law by making illegal redactions and by missing the deadline." Representative Ro Khanna (D-California), another architect of the law, affirmed that he and Massie would "continue to keep the pressure on," noting the release of more documents after legislative threats.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-New York) reacted to the announcement by stating, "A Christmas Eve news dump of 'a million more files' only proves what we already know: Trump is engaged in a massive coverup." He further questioned, "WHAT are they hiding — and WHY?"
The White House defended the Justice Department's actions, with spokeswoman Abigail Jackson stating, "President Trump has assembled the greatest cabinet in American history, which includes Attorney General Bondi and her team — like Deputy Attorney General Blanche — who are doing a great job implementing the President's agenda."
Details from Previously Released Information
Following an initial release of records last Friday, additional batches were posted to the Justice Department's website over the weekend and on Tuesday. These released records, which include photographs, interview transcripts, call logs, and court documents, were either previously public or contained significant redactions. Some newly revealed documents include grand jury testimony from FBI agents detailing interviews with girls and young women who reported performing sex acts for Epstein.
Other records included a January 2020 federal prosecutor's note indicating that Trump had reportedly flown on Epstein's private plane more frequently than previously known, and emails between Maxwell and an individual identified by the initial "A," with references suggesting Britain's former Prince Andrew. One such email contained the line: "How's LA? Have you found me some new inappropriate friends?"
Senator Schumer introduced a resolution days prior to the latest announcement, which, if passed, would direct the Senate to pursue legal action to compel the Justice Department's compliance with disclosure and deadline requirements. He described the release strategy as "a blatant cover-up."
The call for an inspector general audit was led by Senators Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), Richard Blumenthal (D-Connecticut), and Jeff Merkley (D-Oregon), with several other Democratic senators also signing the letter. The senators' letter asserted, "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." They concluded that "Full transparency... is essential in identifying members of our society who enabled and participated in Epstein's crimes."