Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer has criticized the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) for failing to meet a legal deadline for the release of all records related to Jeffrey Epstein. On Friday, Schumer described the DOJ’s actions as a violation of federal law after department officials indicated that some documents would be withheld beyond the deadline.
During an interview with Fox News, Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche confirmed that the DOJ plans to release “several hundred thousand documents” associated with Epstein and his associate Ghislaine Maxwell. He noted that a significant portion of these materials would be delayed for release in the following weeks rather than by the mandated deadline. Blanche explained that the delay is necessary to protect the identities and privacy of Epstein’s victims, stating, “We are looking at every single piece of paper that we are going to produce, making sure that every victim, their name, their identity, their story, to the extent it needs to be protected, is completely protected.”
Despite these assurances, Schumer’s office responded with a statement condemning the DOJ’s decision. They emphasized, “This just shows the Department of Justice, Donald Trump, and Attorney General Pam Bondi are hellbent on hiding the truth.” Schumer highlighted that Senate Democrats are collaborating with victim attorneys and external legal experts to scrutinize the withheld documents and uncover any potential cover-ups by Bondi. He asserted, “We will not stop until the whole truth comes out.”
Schumer’s remarks resonate with a broader bipartisan critique from lawmakers. Representative Ro Khanna, a co-sponsor of the Transparency Act, demanded a “clear timeline” for the complete release of all materials. He pointed out the DOJ has had ample time to prepare, noting, “They have had months to prepare for this, and they have continually rejected our offer to meet with them about this or to meet with survivor’s lawyers about the logistics.”
The Epstein Files Transparency Act, which received overwhelming bipartisan support in Congress, was signed into law on November 19, 2025. It requires the DOJ to release all unclassified records, documents, communications, and investigative materials related to Epstein and Maxwell within 30 days of its enactment. Another co-sponsor, Representative Thomas Massie, cautioned that failure to comply with the law could lead to legal consequences. He shared a screenshot of the act, emphasizing the stipulation that all documents must be released no later than 30 days after enactment.
As public scrutiny intensifies, the DOJ’s next steps will be closely watched. The ongoing dialogue among lawmakers, victims’ advocates, and the Justice Department underscores the significance of transparency in addressing the serious allegations surrounding Epstein and his network.
