Over One Million New Epstein-Related Records Found, DOJ Delays Full Release

Protest art statues depicting U.S. President Donald Trump and financier Jeffrey Epstein are displayed on the National Mall near the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C. (File photo: J. Scott Applewhite/AP)

The United States Department of Justice says it has uncovered more than one million additional documents that may be connected to the case of disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein, prompting a delay in the full public release of records mandated by Congress.

In a statement issued Wednesday, the DOJ said federal prosecutors and the FBI in New York informed the department of the newly discovered material. Officials said reviewing the volume of documents will take several more weeks to ensure compliance with transparency laws and court-ordered protections.

The disclosure comes under the Epstein Files Transparency Act, passed last month with overwhelming bipartisan support, which requires the government to release its files related to Epstein and his longtime associate, Ghislaine Maxwell. The Justice Department said its legal teams are working continuously to examine the documents and apply legally required redactions.

According to the DOJ, the delay is largely due to the need to protect the identities of survivors and remove sensitive personal information. The department reiterated that it intends to release the records in stages and in accordance with federal law and directives from President Donald Trump.

The delay has drawn criticism from lawmakers on both sides of the aisle. A group of 12 U.S. senators, including Republican Senator Lisa Murkowski and 11 Democrats, has called on the Justice Department’s inspector general to conduct an independent review of the department’s handling of the release.

In a joint letter, the senators argued that victims and the public deserve full transparency and accountability, particularly given the department’s failure to meet the original deadline set by Congress.

Republican Representative Thomas Massie, one of the bill’s co-sponsors, accused the DOJ of violating the law by missing the deadline and making what he described as improper redactions in earlier document releases.

Despite the criticism, Justice Department officials maintain that the delay is necessary. Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche said the department’s priority is ensuring that victims are not further harmed through the release of identifying details.

Several batches of Epstein-related records have already been made public in recent days, though officials have not indicated when the next releases will occur.