Justice Department Expands Epstein Document Review Amidst Legislative Pressure

Thu Jan 01 2026 02:17:52 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

The Department of Justice has increased its review of documents related to Jeffrey Epstein, now totaling 5.2 million, while facing criticism over delayed transparency and legislative deadlines.

The Department of Justice's ongoing review of documents tied to Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell involves over 400 attorneys, but the release of critical files has lagged behind a congressional deadline. Amidst growing bipartisan pressure, officials assert they are devoted to transparency despite challenges in redacting sensitive information to protect victims. The situation continues to unfold as leaders from both parties question the integrity and speed of the DOJ’s actions.

The Department of Justice (DOJ) has expanded its review of the case files related to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, revealing that the number of documents under scrutiny has risen to approximately 5.2 million. This undertaking has prompted the DOJ to boost its legal team, with over 400 attorneys currently engaged in the review process.

According to a source familiar with the situation, this expansion comes as the DOJ has struggled to meet legislative deadlines, particularly the Dec. 19 deadline mandated by Congress for the release of these documents. However, a further delay in transparency is anticipated, with expected disclosures not occurring until late January.

Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche has described the department's effort as an all-hands-on-deck approach, indicating the serious commitment to complying with legal requirements while recognizing the challenges posed by necessary redactions to protect victims.

Despite these assertions, the DOJ is facing mounting pressure from both Congressional Republicans and Democrats, who are vocally dissatisfied with the pace of document releases. A recent post by Representative Thomas Massie expressed frustrations with Attorney General Pam Bondi, suggesting possible impeachment discussions due to the perceived implementation failures of the Epstein document law.

Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer has similarly criticized the DOJ, claiming that the limited documents released so far fail to reflect the total number available and calling for greater accountability from the DOJ officials involved. This ongoing situation underlines the critical intersection of legal justice and the public's right to information, particularly in high-profile cases like that of Epstein.