The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) revealed on December 24, 2025, that it has uncovered more than one million additional documents potentially related to the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, significantly delaying the complete public release mandated by recent legislation. The announcement, made via a statement on X and echoed in official communications, comes amid intense scrutiny over the department's handling of Epstein-related files under the Epstein Files Transparency Act, signed into law by President Donald Trump on November 19, 2025.
The DOJ stated that the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York and the FBI informed the department of the new trove, which must undergo review and redactions to protect victims' identities. "We have lawyers working around the clock to review and make the legally required redactions to protect victims, and we will release the documents as soon as possible. Due to the mass volume of material, this process may take a few more weeks," the department said, adding it would "continue to fully comply with federal law and President Trump’s direction to release the files."
This development follows initial releases starting December 19, 2025—the statutory deadline—which included hundreds of thousands of pages but drew criticism for heavy redactions, incomplete compliance, and exposure of some victim information. Subsequent batches on December 20-23 added details, including references to Trump's past associations with Epstein, such as flight logs and subpoenas to Mar-a-Lago, though no new allegations of wrongdoing against the president emerged.
The Epstein Files Transparency Act, passed overwhelmingly by Congress (House 427-1, Senate unanimous consent), requires the DOJ to publicly release all unclassified records related to Epstein's investigations, prosecutions, and associates, with limited exceptions for victim privacy or ongoing probes. Initial non-compliance prompted threats of contempt from co-sponsors Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.) and Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.), who credited their pressure for the latest discovery.
Democratic Rep. Robert Garcia, ranking member of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, sharply criticized the revelation: "It’s outrageous that Trump’s DOJ has illegally withheld over 1 million documents from the public. The White House is openly engaged in a cover-up protecting Epstein's co-conspirators and the powerful men who abused women and girls." Garcia called for Attorney General Pam Bondi to testify under oath and invited DOJ whistleblowers to assist in securing justice for survivors, noting legal protections for them.
Epstein, a financier convicted in 2008 of procuring a minor for prostitution in a controversial Florida plea deal criticized as lenient, faced federal sex trafficking charges in 2019 before dying by suicide in a New York jail cell. Victims allege he ran a vast network exploiting underage girls, facilitated by influential figures in politics, business, and entertainment. His associate Ghislaine Maxwell was convicted in 2021. No other major co-conspirators have been charged, fueling demands for transparency.
Previous releases included photos, flight logs, and investigative notes, some mentioning Trump (e.g., 1990s jet travels) and others like Bill Clinton, but largely reiterated known information. Fake items, such as a purported Epstein letter, were flagged. Critics argue redactions shield elites, while the DOJ insists they protect victims.
The case remains politically charged, with Trump having directed releases despite past reluctance. Bipartisan senators, including one Republican, called for an independent audit of DOJ compliance. Survivors and advocates demand full disclosure to identify enablers.
As Christmas 2025 approached, the delayed process prolongs pain for victims while intensifying congressional oversight. The DOJ's next releases are anticipated in early 2026, potentially revealing more about Epstein's network.
