The U.S. Justice Department has announced that it will not fulfill its obligation to release all files related to Jeffrey Epstein, the financier and convicted sex offender who tragically died in prison, by the congressionally mandated deadline of Friday. Todd Blanche, the deputy attorney general, revealed this information during an appearance on Fox News.
Mr. Blanche stated that while the previous administration, under President Trump, had planned to release “several hundred thousand documents” regarding Epstein by the deadline, the department would instead disclose “several hundred thousand more” documents in the weeks to come. He emphasized, “There’s a lot of eyes looking at these, and we want to make sure that when we do produce the materials we are producing, that we are protecting every single victim.”
This delay raises concerns about the administration's compliance with a law signed by President Trump in November, which mandates the complete release of all unclassified materials related to Epstein within 30 days, with some exceptions. Under this law, the Justice Department is permitted to withhold records that could identify victims, contain images of child sexual abuse, or are classified for other reasons. Additionally, records may be withheld if their release could “jeopardize an active federal investigation.”
In response to the situation, Attorney General Pam Bondi directed federal prosecutors in Manhattan to investigate potential ties between Epstein and prominent Democrats. This action came shortly after President Trump instructed her to pursue this investigation last month.
Following the announcement, several members of Congress quickly criticized Mr. Blanche and the Justice Department. They argued that the partial release of the Epstein files constitutes a failure to meet legal obligations. Representative Thomas Massie, a Republican from Kentucky who has been vocal about the need for transparency, took to social media to express his dissatisfaction. He highlighted the law's requirement for the full release of documents by Friday, stating, “Time’s up. Release the files.”
Senator Chuck Schumer, the Democratic minority leader from New York, accused the White House of violating the law and criticized both President Trump and Attorney General Pam Bondi for allegedly attempting to “hide the truth.”
Representative Ro Khanna, a Democrat from California and one of the lawmakers who sponsored the Epstein files law, also expressed disappointment with the Trump administration, asserting that there was ample time to prepare for the complete release of documents. However, Khanna noted that if the Justice Department could clarify its timeline for releasing the remaining materials, it would be “a positive step.”
The ongoing situation regarding the release of Epstein-related documents continues to draw scrutiny from lawmakers and the public alike. As the Justice Department prepares to unveil additional files, the call for transparency and accountability remains strong. Stakeholders are keenly awaiting further developments in this high-profile case, which has implications for numerous public figures and victims.