US Justice Department releases millions of pages in Epstein files under new transparency law

The United States Department of Justice (DOJ) has released a substantial tranche of investigative records related to the late financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, in compliance with legislation passed by Congress in late 2025.

Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche announced on 30 January, 2026, that the department had published over 3 million pages of documents, more than 2,000 videos, and 180,000 images. The release follows the passage of the Epstein Files Transparency Act, a bipartisan measure signed into law on 19 November 2025, by President Donald Trump.

Blanche confirmed that the release concludes a comprehensive identification and review process involving over 500 attorneys. He stated the review ensured legal compliance and prioritised the protection of sexual abuse victims.

“Today’s release marks the end of a very comprehensive document identification and review process to ensure transparency to the American people and compliance with the Act,” Blanche said during a press conference.

Despite the milestone, the DOJ has faced mounting scrutiny over the delay in meeting the original 19 December deadline and the extensive redactions within the published documents.

Blanche dismissed suggestions that the department had shielded powerful individuals, including Trump, from scrutiny.

“There’s this built-in assumption that somehow there’s this hidden tranche of information... That is not the case,” he asserted.

While Trump has acknowledged a prior friendship with Epstein, he has consistently denied any knowledge of the alleged sex-trafficking activities.

According to the DOJ, redactions were applied to protect victim identities, as mandated by the Court and the Act. Blanche clarified that while all women, except Ghislaine Maxwell, were obscured in the visual media, no public figures or politicians were removed from the documentation.

The files encompass material from various investigations, including those led by the FBI, the Southern District of New York (SDNY), and the Office of Inspector General’s inquiry into Epstein’s 2019 death while in federal custody.

In a press release, the DOJ explained that materials not included in the public release fell into categories such as duplicates, documents protected by attorney-client or deliberative process privilege, depictions of violence, or unrelated submissions.

The department also cautioned that the release may contain fake or false submissions made to the FBI by members of the public, including unsubstantiated allegations targeting Trump before the 2020 election.

Critics of the redactions argue that the department has withheld documents without adequate justification. Representative Ro Khanna, a Democrat and co-sponsor of the Act, stated:

“The DOJ said it identified over 6 million potentially responsive pages but is releasing only about 3.5 million after review and redactions. This raises questions as to why the rest are being withheld.”

Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer demanded clarity on whether all Epstein-related files involving Trump had been made public.

“Yes or no? We need answers,” Schumer said.

An earlier batch of files, released in December, included previously unseen flight logs indicating Trump flew on Epstein’s private aircraft in the 1990s, apparently before their relationship reportedly soured.

Past releases have shown images of influential individuals, such as tech billionaire Elon Musk, filmmaker Woody Allen, and former Presidents Donald Trump and Bill Clinton, socialising with Epstein in various settings.

Initial examination of the latest release has revealed communications between Epstein and prominent figures. These include email exchanges with Musk regarding a possible visit to Epstein’s private island and messages between Epstein and Steve Bannon, referencing Trump shortly before Epstein’s death.

None of the individuals named or depicted in the documents, aside from Maxwell, have been charged with crimes related to Epstein’s trafficking network.

Maxwell was convicted in 2021 on federal charges of sex trafficking and is currently serving a 20-year prison sentence. She continues to deny any wrongdoing.

Epstein died in a Manhattan jail cell in August 2019, with authorities ruling his death a suicide. At the time, he had been charged with running a sex-trafficking ring involving underage girls. He had earlier served 13 months in a Florida jail in 2008 after a controversial plea deal criticised for its leniency.

Among Epstein’s most vocal accusers was Virginia Roberts Giuffre, who died in April 2025. She alleged that Epstein trafficked her to high-profile men, including politicians, academics, and business leaders, while she was underage.

One of those named was Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, formerly known as Prince Andrew. Although he denied the allegations, he settled a civil lawsuit filed by Giuffre in the United States. In October 2025, his brother, King Charles III, formally stripped him of all royal titles.

Despite mounting pressure from the public and elected officials, the DOJ has maintained that the redactions and omissions were lawful and necessary to protect victims and ongoing investigations.

With public interest in the documents remaining high, advocacy groups and investigative journalists are now combing through the released material for further revelations.