On Wednesday, the U.S. Justice Department announced that it may require additional weeks to release all records concerning the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The delay stems from the recent discovery of over a million documents potentially related to Epstein’s case, which has pushed back the department’s ability to meet the original deadline set for Friday.
Discovery of New Epstein Documents
The Justice Department’s announcement came just hours after a group of U.S. senators called for an independent audit of the department’s failure to meet the release deadline. The senators, including 11 Democrats and one Republican, expressed concern that victims of Epstein’s abuse deserved full disclosure and an independent review of the records. They sent a letter to Acting Inspector General Don Berthiaume urging a thorough investigation of the department’s handling of the case.
The department revealed on social media that federal prosecutors in Manhattan and the FBI had uncovered over a million additional documents potentially connected to Epstein’s activities. This revelation came as a surprise, especially since department officials had previously indicated that a comprehensive review of the available records had already been conducted.
Previous Statements and Public Assurance
Back in March, Attorney General Pam Bondi had assured Fox News that a large volume of evidence related to Epstein had been handed over, after the FBI was instructed to provide all relevant files. At that time, Bondi described the evidence as a “truckload of documents.” Additionally, in July, the FBI and Justice Department had released a memo stating that they had conducted an “exhaustive review” of the records and did not foresee any further releases of Epstein-related materials.
However, Wednesday’s announcement contradicted these earlier statements, raising questions about why the newly discovered files had not been identified earlier.
Ongoing Efforts to Comply with Epstein Files Transparency Act
Despite the setbacks, the Justice Department stated that it was working diligently to review the newly uncovered files. These records are being scrutinized for sensitive information, and efforts are being made to remove identifying details about victims, in accordance with the Epstein Files Transparency Act. This law, enacted last month, mandates the government to release all relevant files related to Epstein and his accomplice Ghislaine Maxwell.
A statement from the Justice Department emphasized that the mass volume of documents requires additional time to process. “We are working around the clock,” the department said, “and will release the documents as soon as possible.”
Legal and Political Reactions
The department’s delay has intensified scrutiny from both victims’ advocates and lawmakers. Republican Rep. Thomas Massie of Kentucky, one of the architects of the Epstein Files Transparency Act, criticized the Justice Department for missing the release deadline. He accused the department of making illegal redactions and failing to meet the statutory requirements. Rep. Ro Khanna of California echoed these sentiments, pledging to keep pressure on the Justice Department until full disclosure is achieved.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) also voiced his frustration, labeling the delay as a “blatant cover-up” and questioning the motives behind the department’s actions. Schumer demanded transparency and called for further scrutiny into the handling of Epstein’s records.
Public Disclosure and Redactions
Following the initial release of records on Friday, the Justice Department posted more batches of documents throughout the weekend and into Tuesday. Some of these records, including photographs, court records, and transcripts, had already been made public or were heavily redacted. The newly available materials included grand jury testimony and interviews with victims who had been exploited by Epstein.
Among the notable revelations were details about former President Trump’s frequent use of Epstein’s private jet and emails between Maxwell and an individual who may be Prince Andrew, the Duke of York. These documents have raised further questions about the extent of the connections between Epstein and high-profile figures.
Calls for an Inspector General Audit
In response to these ongoing concerns, a group of 12 senators, including Republican Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and Democrats like Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) and Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), called for an independent audit of the Justice Department’s actions. They expressed the need for an unbiased evaluation of whether the department is complying with the Epstein Files Transparency Act. The senators emphasized that full transparency is crucial for holding accountable those who enabled Epstein’s crimes.
