UPDATE: The U.S. Justice Department has just announced that it may require a “few more weeks” to fully release documents related to the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, following the discovery of over 1 million new files. This shocking revelation comes just days after the department missed a congressionally mandated deadline for document release.
Earlier today, officials confirmed that federal prosecutors and the FBI have found an extensive trove of materials that could be relevant to the Epstein case. This development has raised significant concerns among lawmakers and victims, who are demanding full transparency and accountability.
In a letter, a group of 12 U.S. senators, including Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, expressed their frustration over the Justice Department’s inability to comply with the deadline. They urged Acting Inspector General Don Berthiaume to launch an audit, stating that victims deserve “full disclosure” and “peace of mind.”
The Justice Department stated in a social media post that its lawyers are “working around the clock” to review the documents and redact names of victims as mandated by the recently enacted Epstein Files Transparency Act. However, the sheer volume of material is causing delays, prompting the department to caution that this process may extend beyond the expected timeline.
3.6 million records related to Epstein and his associate Ghislaine Maxwell have already been amassed by Manhattan federal prosecutors, although many of these records are duplicates of previously released materials. The urgency of this situation is underscored by the fact that the Justice Department had previously indicated that it had completed a thorough review, only to now uncover additional files at this late hour.
Lawmakers have reacted strongly, with Rep. Thomas Massie alleging that the DOJ broke the law by making illegal redactions and failing to meet the deadline. Fellow representative Ro Khanna echoed these sentiments, indicating that they will continue to apply pressure for compliance.
The stakes are high, as the public’s trust in the Justice Department’s handling of the Epstein case hangs in the balance. With increasing scrutiny from both victims and Congress, any further delays may deepen suspicions of a cover-up.
“A Christmas Eve news dump of ‘a million more files’ only proves what we already know: there is a massive cover-up,” Schumer stated, demanding transparency on what the department might be hiding.
In recent releases, documents included previously unseen transcripts of grand jury testimony involving young women who described being paid to perform sexual acts for Epstein. Other materials revealed connections between Epstein and high-profile individuals, including references that suggest ties to Britain’s former Prince Andrew.
The Justice Department has yet to confirm when additional records will be released, leaving many in the dark about the full extent of Epstein’s network. As this situation develops, the spotlight remains on the DOJ to fulfill its obligations under the law and ensure that all relevant information is disclosed.
Stay tuned for more updates as this story evolves, with the implications of the Justice Department’s handling of these documents affecting both victims and the broader public interest.
