The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has announced an extension to the timeline for the full public release of documents related to the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, citing the discovery of over one million additional, potentially relevant files. This development follows the DOJ's failure to meet an initial congressionally mandated deadline, prompting threats of contempt proceedings from bipartisan lawmakers and a request for an independent audit of the department's compliance.
Background on the Epstein Files Transparency Act
The "Epstein Files Transparency Act," signed into law by President Donald Trump in November, mandated the comprehensive public release of information gathered by the U.S. Justice Department during its two criminal investigations into Epstein. The initial deadline for this release was the previous Friday.
Initial Document Release and Lawmaker Dissatisfaction
Following the initial deadline, the DOJ released a portion of the required materials. However, these documents contained numerous redactions and withheld information, leading to dissatisfaction among members of Congress and advocates, including survivors of Epstein's abuse. Republican Congressman Thomas Massie and Democratic Congressman Ro Khanna, co-authors of the transparency law, were among those who expressed concerns. Congressman Massie stated on CBS's "Face the Nation" that the Justice Department was "flouting the spirit and the letter of the law."
Threats of Contempt Proceedings
Congressmen Massie and Khanna began discussions and drafting inherent contempt proceedings against Attorney General Pam Bondi. Inherent contempt is a rarely utilized legal mechanism, reportedly not invoked by Congress for nearly a century, which allows the House or Senate to fine or arrest individuals obstructing legislative functions. Congressman Khanna indicated that such proceedings, which would only require House approval, could involve daily fines for Attorney General Bondi until the documents are released. The lawmakers anticipate bipartisan support for this measure.
DOJ's Initial Defense and Discovery of New Files
Initially, the DOJ defended its partial release. Attorney General Bondi stated the administration was "the most transparent in American history" and asserted compliance with legal obligations. Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche explained that hundreds of lawyers were reviewing documents to protect victims' information and that materials released, and those scheduled for release, adhered to the Act's requirements.
However, on a Wednesday, described by some as Christmas Eve, the DOJ announced a significant development: federal prosecutors in Manhattan and the FBI had uncovered over one million additional documents potentially linked to the Epstein case. This discovery necessitates an extension of the release timeline, with the DOJ stating the process may take "a few more weeks" due to the "mass volume of material."
This announcement emerged months after previous statements from department officials. In March, Attorney General Bondi had indicated a "truckload of evidence" had been produced. By July, an unsigned memo from the FBI and Justice Department had stated an "exhaustive review" was complete and concluded that no additional evidence should be released. Deputy Attorney General Blanche had also noted previously that Manhattan federal prosecutors possessed over 3.6 million records from Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell investigations, though many were duplicates. The DOJ did not specify when it became aware of the newly discovered files.
Reactions to Delays and New Discovery
The extended timeline and the discovery of new documents intensified scrutiny from various parties:
- Congressional Audit Request: A bipartisan group of twelve U.S. senators (eleven Democrats and one Republican) formally requested the Justice Department's inspector general to investigate the department's failure to meet the initial deadline, emphasizing that victims "deserve full disclosure" and "the peace of mind" of an independent audit. Senators Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), Richard Blumenthal (D-Connecticut), and Jeff Merkley (D-Oregon) led this call.
- Lawmaker Criticism: Representative Massie reiterated that the "DOJ did break the law by making illegal redactions and by missing the deadline." Representative Khanna affirmed that he and Massie would "continue to keep the pressure on." Senator Rand Paul (R-Kentucky) commented that any perception of an incomplete disclosure could prolong scrutiny for the department.
- Senate Minority Leader's Comments: Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-New York) reacted to the timing of the announcement by calling it a "Christmas Eve news dump" indicative of a "massive coverup," and questioned what was being hidden. He also introduced a resolution aimed at directing the Senate to pursue legal action to compel the DOJ's compliance.
- White House Response: The White House, through spokeswoman Abigail Jackson, defended the Justice Department's actions, stating that Attorney General Bondi and her team were "doing a great job."
Details on Released and Withheld Information
Following the initial Friday release, additional batches of records were posted to the DOJ's website over the weekend and on Tuesday. These records, which included photographs, interview transcripts, call logs, and court documents, were often previously public or contained significant redactions.
- Newly Revealed Documents: Included grand jury testimony from FBI agents detailing interviews with individuals who reported performing sex acts for Epstein. Other disclosures included a federal prosecutor's note from January 2020 indicating former President 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.
- Specific Concerns on Withheld Documents: Congressman Khanna highlighted specific concerns regarding documents reportedly withheld by the DOJ, including survivor statements to the FBI that name other individuals involved in abuse or cover-ups, and draft prosecution memos detailing the involvement of various individuals.
- Photo and Transcript Review: The DOJ temporarily removed a photograph showing a desk with an image of former President Trump from public files for review, explaining it was flagged for potential victim protection. It was later reposted unredacted after determining no victims were depicted. The department also re-uploaded an extensively redacted 119-page grand jury transcript from the Ghislaine Maxwell case with minimal redactions, stating that reviews would continue with caution for victims.
DOJ Rejects Oversight Request
In a separate development, U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton of Manhattan rejected a request from Representatives Khanna and Massie for a judge to appoint a neutral expert to oversee the public release of documents. The lawmakers had sought this appointment due to concerns about the slow release and their belief that "criminal violations have taken place" in the release process. Clayton argued that Khanna and Massie lacked legal standing to seek such "extraordinary" relief, as they are not direct parties to the criminal case. Congressman Khanna responded that Clayton's position "misconstrued" their request, stating its purpose was to inform the court of alleged misconduct and ensure compliance with legal obligations.
Broader Context
Jeffrey Epstein died in federal jail in August 2019, with his death ruled a suicide, while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges. Ghislaine Maxwell was convicted of sex trafficking in December 2021 and sentenced to 20 years in prison. The Justice Department expects to provide an update to the court on its progress in releasing documents, noting that redactions are required to protect abuse victims' identities.