WASHINGTON (TNND) — The Department of Justice on Wednesday announced that it needs a “few more weeks” to finish releasing the Epstein files after “over a million more documents potentially related” to the case were discovered.
The U.S. attorney’s office for the Southern District of New York and the FBI uncovered the new documents, according to the DOJ. The development further delays compliance with the congressionally mandated deadline of Dec. 19.
“The DOJ has received these documents from SDNY and the FBI to review them for release, in compliance with the Epstein Files Transparency Act, existing statutes, and judicial orders,” the DOJ wrote in an update on social media.
Officials said they have lawyers working “to review and make the legally required redactions to protect victims” and will release the documents as soon as possible.”
“Due to the mass volume of material, this process may take a few more weeks,” the DOJ stated. “The Department will continue to fully comply with federal law and President Trump’s direction to release the files.”
The DOJ started releasing all Epstein-related materials on Friday after Congress passed the “Epstein Files Transparency Act” law in November.
A dozen U.S. senators recently called on the Justice Department’s watchdog to examine the DOJ’s failure to release all of the Epstein files by the deadline.
Republican Sen. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska joined 11 Democrats in signing a letter calling for the inspector general audit.
“Given the Administration’s historic hostility to releasing the files, politicization of the Epstein case more broadly, and failure to comply with the Epstein Files Transparency Act, a neutral assessment of its compliance with the statutory disclosure requirements is essential,” the group wrote.
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Sens. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., said he was “demanding” an audit “following the Trump Admin’s failure to release the full Epstein files. Complete transparency – as demanded bravely & repeatedly by survivors – is essential.”
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