UPDATE: The Justice Department has announced a significant delay in releasing records related to the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, stating it may require a few more weeks to fulfill its obligations. This comes after officials discovered over 1 million additional documents that could be pertinent to the case, further postponing compliance with a congressional deadline set for December 22, 2023.
The announcement, made on Christmas Eve, follows mounting pressure from a group of U.S. senators who urged an investigation into the department’s failure to meet the timeline. In a letter to Acting Inspector General Don Berthiaume, the bipartisan coalition emphasized that victims “deserve full disclosure” and the “peace of mind” an independent audit would provide.
In a social media post, the Justice Department confirmed that federal prosecutors in Manhattan and the FBI have uncovered these newly relevant documents—an unexpected twist after months of claims that a thorough review had already been conducted. Earlier this year, Attorney General Pam Bondi had stated that a “truckload of evidence” had been gathered, suggesting full transparency was on the way.
However, last week, Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche revealed that prosecutors already possess more than 3.6 million records from investigations into Epstein and his associate Ghislaine Maxwell. Many of these records consist of copies already submitted by the FBI. The department is now working “around the clock” to review these documents, ensuring compliance with the newly enacted Epstein Files Transparency Act, which mandates the release of all related materials.
The delay has drawn severe criticism from lawmakers and victims alike. Republican Rep. Thomas Massie of Kentucky accused the DOJ of breaking the law by making “illegal redactions” and failing to meet the deadline. Meanwhile, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer characterized the late announcement as a “Christmas Eve news dump” and questioned what the Justice Department might be concealing.
In response to the scrutiny, the White House defended the DOJ’s actions, with spokesperson Abigail Jackson praising the efforts of Attorney General Bondi and her team. As the DOJ released its initial set of records last Friday, it has continued to post additional batches online, although many have been heavily redacted or previously public.
Among the newly disclosed documents are grand jury transcripts detailing interviews with victims who reported being paid for sexual acts with Epstein. Some records also indicate that Donald Trump had flown on Epstein’s private plane more frequently than previously acknowledged, stirring further controversy.
The growing frustration from victims and lawmakers has prompted calls for an independent audit. Senators Lisa Murkowski, Richard Blumenthal, and Jeff Merkley are leading efforts to ensure a thorough examination of the DOJ’s compliance with the transparency law.
As this situation develops, all eyes remain on the Justice Department. Will they meet the new timeline? What further revelations might come to light? The urgency for full transparency has never been more critical as the nation grapples with the implications of Epstein’s actions and the individuals involved in his crimes.
Stay tuned for more updates on this breaking story as the Justice Department works to finalize the release of these vital records.
