The US Justice Department has said it will need more time to release all files linked to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein after discovering more than one million additional documents during an internal review. The unexpected volume of material has delayed the full disclosure that was mandated under a new federal law.
Under the Epstein Files Transparency Act passed by Congress and signed into law earlier this year, the Justice Department was required to release all unclassified records related to Epstein by December 19. Officials now say that deadline could not be met because large quantities of relevant documents were identified late in the process by federal investigators.
According to the department, the newly found records were located by the US Attorney’s Office in New York and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. These documents have since been transferred to Justice Department teams for legal review. Officials stressed that each file must be examined carefully before release to ensure compliance with the law.
The review process includes redacting sensitive information, particularly details that could identify victims or disclose personal data of individuals not charged with crimes. Justice Department officials said lawyers and staff are working continuously to complete this task but acknowledged it could take several weeks due to the scale of the material.
The delay has triggered criticism from lawmakers across party lines. Several members of Congress have accused the department of failing to act with urgency and transparency, arguing that the public has waited years for clarity on Epstein’s network and the handling of his case. Some have warned of possible legal or parliamentary action if further delays occur.
Victim advocacy groups have also expressed concern, saying prolonged reviews risk undermining public trust. At the same time, they have emphasised the importance of protecting survivors from further harm through careless disclosures.
So far, thousands of pages connected to Epstein have already been released. Some documents have attracted attention due to references to well known public figures, while others have been criticised for heavy redactions or questionable relevance.
The Justice Department maintains that it remains committed to releasing all legally required records. Officials said the full disclosure process is now expected to continue into early 2026, once the review and redaction of the newly discovered documents is completed.
