The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) announced that there are still 5.2 million pages of Epstein files awaiting review, requiring 400 lawyers from four different department offices to assist in the process until late January, as per a government document disclosed by Reuters. This revelation indicates a delay in the final release of the documents beyond the initial deadline set by Congress on December 19.
The mandate for the release of Epstein files, pertaining to criminal investigations of the late financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, was issued by the Trump administration to comply with a transparency law passed by Congress. The involved entities include the Criminal Division, National Security Division, FBI, and the U.S. Attorney’s office in Manhattan, collectively offering 400 attorneys for the review process, a more precise figure than previously estimated.
Incentives such as telework options and time off awards are being provided to volunteers assisting in the review, with lawyers expected to dedicate three to five hours daily to assess about 1,000 documents per day. The DOJ recently uncovered over a million additional documents potentially linked to Epstein, with the disclosures heavily redacted, drawing criticism from some Republicans and failing to dispel the scandal looming over the party ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.
Despite efforts to keep the files sealed, the bipartisan-approved law mandates the public release of all Epstein-related documents by December 19, with redactions for victim protection. Trump’s acknowledgment of a past association with Epstein in the 1990s and early 2000s has been noted, with the former president asserting the termination of their relationship in the mid-2000s and denial of awareness regarding Epstein’s illicit activities.
Epstein’s legal history includes a 2008 conviction in Florida for soliciting a minor for prostitution and subsequent 2019 sex trafficking charges by the Justice Department. His death in 2019, ruled a suicide, further complicated the ongoing legal saga. The Justice Department assured a continuous effort in reviewing and redacting the documents to safeguard victims, with a commitment to release the materials promptly despite the extensive volume necessitating a few additional weeks for completion.
