DOJ Releases 3 Million Pages of Epstein Files

The Justice Department announced Friday that it has released the largest batch yet of records connected to Jeffrey Epstein, the late financier convicted of sex trafficking. The disclosures include over 3 million pages of documents, alongside more than 2,000 videos and 180,000 images, as part of efforts to comply with the Epstein Files Transparency Act passed by Congress and signed into law in 2025.

Most files released late and after redactions

Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche said the disclosure fulfilled the Justice Department’s obligation under federal law, despite missing the original legislative deadline by more than a month. He explained that the released materials represent roughly 3.5 million pages that have been reviewed and processed for public access, including photographs and court records from investigations into Epstein and his associate Ghislaine Maxwell.

Blanche emphasized that the department took extensive steps to protect the privacy and safety of survivors, redacting images and videos before publication. He also insisted that the Justice Department did not withhold documents to protect US President Donald Trump or other individuals.

Content includes high-profile references

Among the newly released materials are records mentioning several well-known figures and elites, including Donald Trump, Bill Clinton, Prince Andrew, Elon Musk and others, with references to email exchanges, travel logs, and guest lists tied to Epstein’s Caribbean island and other locales.

One portion of earlier released materials also showed that federal prosecutors in 2020 learned US President Trump flew on Epstein’s private jet more frequently in the 1990s than previously documented, although no wrongdoing was alleged.

Criticism over incomplete and redacted disclosures

Despite the volume of material now public, many Democratic lawmakers and victims’ advocates argue that the release falls short of the law’s intent. They contend that the administration has not released all documents required, with portions still withheld or heavily redacted in ways that obscure meaningful content.

Representative Ro Khanna and others have publicly demanded that the Justice Department explain why only a fraction of the potentially responsive pages have been disclosed and why some names and records remain blacked out.

Critics also note potential legal avenues including subpoenas and court challenges could be used to force a more complete release of the files, highlighting growing political pressure ahead of further review.

Victims, transparency and ongoing debate

Survivors of Epstein’s crimes and advocacy groups have similarly expressed alarm over the partial nature of the release, saying it may deprive victims and the public of full accountability and historical record.

The Justice Department maintains its actions balance transparency with the legal requirement to protect personally identifiable information and sensitive material involving ongoing investigations.

As the debate continues, lawmakers are weighing additional oversight and legal options to ensure compliance with the Epstein Files Transparency Act and to address concerns that the current disclosures do not fully reflect the scope of the Epstein case and related investigations.