The Justice Department says it has received "over a million" additional documents tied to the Jeffrey Epstein case but has not set a public release date, citing the need for careful review and redactions to protect victims. DOJ officials say roughly 750,000 records have already been reviewed and released, with about 700,000 more in the pipeline, many of them duplicates. Democrats on the House Oversight Committee accused officials of a cover-up and demanded testimony from Pam Bondi; bipartisan lawmakers have threatened legal action over a missed Dec. 19 deadline.
DOJ Says 'Over a Million' More Epstein Records Arrive — Release Delayed as Lawmakers Demand Answers
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The Department of Justice announced it has received "over a million" additional documents potentially related to the Jeffrey Epstein case but did not provide a timetable for their public release. The agency, overseen by Pam Bondi, said it is reviewing the files and performing redactions intended to protect victims.
In an X post, the Justice Department said staff are working "around the clock" and vowed: "We will release the documents as soon as possible. Due to the mass volume of material, this process may take a few more weeks."
The Justice Department said more Epstein files are on the way. / Department of Justice on X
Numbers, Process, And Timeline
Officials told Axios that a team of roughly 200 people has reviewed and released about 750,000 records so far. Another roughly 700,000 records remain in the pipeline, though an official cautioned many of those are duplicates. The department emphasized that thorough review and redaction are necessary to protect victim privacy and sensitive information.
Political Reaction
The DOJ announcement prompted immediate criticism from House Oversight Committee Democrats, who have been pushing for full transparency. "The White House is openly engaged in a cover-up protecting Epstein’s co-conspirators and the powerful men who abused women and girls," Rep. Robert Garcia (D-CA) said, calling the withholding of more than 1 million documents "outrageous" and demanding that Bondi testify before Congress.
House Democrats blasted the delay in releasing the files. / House Oversight Democrats on X
Republican and Democratic lawmakers alike have pressured the administration to release the records. Kentucky Republican Rep. Thomas Massie and California Democrat Rep. Ro Khanna, leaders of the bipartisan push, indicated they may pursue legal action after the Justice Department missed a Dec. 19 deadline set by the Epstein Files Transparency Act.
DOJ Response
Todd Blanche, described by some officials as Bondi’s deputy attorney general, pushed back on legal threats during an appearance on NBC’s Meet the Press, saying, "Bring it on. We are doing everything we’re supposed to be doing to comply with this statute." A DOJ official told Axios the review effort continues and predicted the process would conclude soon.
"This will end soon," an official told Axios. "The conspiracy theories won't."
The Justice Department and the White House did not immediately respond to additional requests for comment.
