UPDATE: The U.S. Department of Justice has just announced it may need “a few more weeks” to release all records related to the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, following the discovery of over 1 million new documents. This significant update comes just days after the department missed a congressional deadline to disclose Epstein-related files, raising concerns among lawmakers and victims alike.
On December 27, 2023, the DOJ revealed through a social media post that federal prosecutors in Manhattan and the FBI had unexpectedly uncovered a staggering amount of additional materials. This late-breaking news comes after a group of 12 U.S. senators, including 11 Democrats and 1 Republican, called for an investigation into the DOJ’s failure to meet the mandated deadline outlined in the Epstein Files Transparency Act.
The DOJ’s announcement follows mounting pressure from victims and lawmakers, who demand full disclosure regarding Epstein’s extensive network and the complicity of those involved. In a letter to Acting Inspector General Don Berthiaume, senators emphasized that victims “deserve full disclosure” and the “peace of mind” of an independent review.
Despite earlier assurances from the DOJ that they had conducted an exhaustive review of Epstein-related materials, the sudden discovery of these documents has raised eyebrows. Todd Blanche, Deputy Attorney General, previously reported that the DOJ had already processed over 3.6 million records concerning Epstein and his associate Ghislaine Maxwell. However, many of these were duplicates of previously released files.
The Justice Department is currently working around the clock to review the newly uncovered documents, which require redaction of victims’ names and sensitive information as mandated by the Epstein Files Transparency Act. In their most recent statement, the DOJ assured the public, “We will release the documents as soon as possible,” but cautioned that the volume of material would delay this process.
Criticism of the DOJ’s handling of the Epstein case has intensified, with Rep. Thomas Massie of Kentucky accusing the department of breaking the law by making “illegal redactions” and missing the deadline. Fellow lawmaker Rep. Ro Khanna, a co-author of the transparency law, vowed to keep the pressure on the DOJ, citing the need for accountability and transparency.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer expressed his outrage over the DOJ’s announcement, questioning, “What are they hiding — and WHY?” He described the timing of the announcement as a “Christmas Eve news dump” that only fuels existing suspicions of a cover-up surrounding the Trump administration’s handling of the Epstein case.
The White House defended the DOJ’s actions, with spokeswoman Abigail Jackson praising Attorney General Pam Bondi and her team for their efforts in implementing the President’s agenda. The DOJ had previously released some documents, including photographs and interview transcripts, but many were heavily redacted and lacked essential context.
With a growing consensus among lawmakers for an independent audit of the DOJ’s release process, the urgency for transparency in this case has never been more pronounced. The public and Epstein’s victims are left waiting for answers, as the department works to sift through the newly discovered documents.
As this story continues to develop, the next crucial steps will focus on the timing and transparency of the DOJ’s upcoming document releases and the potential for further scrutiny from Congress. Stay tuned for further updates as the situation unfolds.
