The Justice Department is set to release another massive batch of documents tied to Jeffrey Epstein, following a new federal law that mandates disclosure by Friday, CNN reported. The highly anticipated release has created public attention due to Epstein’s lavish lifestyle, allegations of underage sex trafficking, and his ties to President Donald Trump, former President Bill Clinton, celebrities and foreign dignitaries.
Why the files are being released now
According to CNN, veto-proof majorities in Congress passed the Epstein Files Transparency Act last month, forcing the Justice Department to make the records public. Trump strongly opposed the bill but ultimately signed it after being outmaneuvered by bipartisan pressure from lawmakers and the public.
However, it remains unclear how much new information will emerge. Over the past two decades, thousands of Epstein-related documents have already been released through civil lawsuits, criminal trials and public records requests.
What the law requires the DOJ to release
The Epstein Files Transparency Act is just three pages long and spells out in clear language what must be released and what can be withheld.
Under the law, the federal government must release “searchable and downloadable” copies of “all unclassified records, documents, communications, and investigative materials” related to Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell that are held by the Justice Department or the FBI.
The law explicitly calls for the release of ravel logs, records related to Epstein’s associates, any immunity or non-prosecution deals, corporate records, internal DOJ communications, documents related to Epstein’s 2019 death.
More than 300 gigabytes of data sit inside the FBI’s main electronic case management system, known as Sentinel. This includes videos, photographs, audio recordings and written documents.
The FBI conducted two major investigations into Epstein, the first probe began in 2006 in Florida, leading to a controversial non-prosecution deal, the second probe, based in New York, led to Epstein’s 2019 federal sex trafficking indictment
CNN previously reported that most of the Epstein files come from the second investigation, though some material dates back to the earlier Miami probe.
Documents that might be released
In court filings cited by CNN, the Justice Department outlined categories of records it believes must be released, while warning the list is “not entirely comprehensive.” These materials include search warrant records and FBI affidavits; evidence seized during raids on Epstein’s homes in Florida, New York and Little Saint James; FBI interview memos known as “302s,” which CNN says run into hundreds of pages; financial and bank records; commercial and private flight logs; subpoenaed data from companies such as Google; school and immigration records; arrest reports and depositions; civil lawsuit materials; and forensic reports from dozens of seized electronic devices.
Federal judges have also allowed the DOJ to release grand jury materials tied to Epstein’s indictment, the Maxwell trial and the Florida investigation. However, one judge cautioned that most of the Maxwell grand jury material “was already a matter of public record” and that its release “would not reveal new information of any consequence.”
What can be redacted under the law
The law states that records cannot be withheld, delayed or redacted due to concerns over “embarrassment,” “reputational harm,” or “political sensitivity.” This rule applies to “any government official, public figure, or foreign dignitary.”
However, Attorney General Pam Bondi may redact or withhold records that fall into five specific categories, provided every redaction is publicly explained. These include personally identifiable information of Epstein’s victims; materials depicting child sexual abuse; materials depicting physical abuse; records that “would jeopardize an active federal investigation”; and classified materials tied to national defense or foreign policy. CNN reported that the FBI recovered thousands of nude and semi-nude photographs of young women from Epstein’s Manhattan home, which will not be released.
What will not be included
CNN cautioned that the Justice Department’s records represent only part of the broader Epstein universe. For example, recent House Oversight Committee releases included materials obtained from Epstein’s estate that the FBI said it had never seen, while lawmakers are still pursuing bank records that may not be in the Justice Department’s possession. This means additional disclosures could follow even after Friday’s highly anticipated release.
Victims’ concerns and criticism
Some Epstein and Maxwell victims have expressed fear about being publicly identified. Others support releasing the records if proper redactions are made.
One victim who testified at Maxwell’s trial supported the release but warned in a letter that the DOJ might not release everything it has.
When Democrats on the House Oversight Committee released Epstein estate documents in November, victims’ lawyers objected.
“Transparency cannot come at the expense of the privacy, safety, and protection of sexual abuse and sex trafficking victims,” they wrote, adding that victims “already suffered repeatedly, both at the hands of their abusers as well as by the actions of the media and inactions on the Government.”Judge Paul Engelmayer, who oversaw Maxwell’s case, also criticised the DOJ. He wrote that the department, “although paying lip service to Maxwell’s and Epstein’s victims, has not treated them with the solicitude they deserve.”
Many Epstein records are already public
A massive volume of Epstein-related documents has already been released through Maxwell’s 2021 criminal trial, public records requests, Justice Department internal reports and civil lawsuits. These releases include findings that Epstein’s 2008 non-prosecution agreement was improper, as well as an inspector general report on Epstein’s suicide in federal custody.
Earlier this year, Trump appointees released declassified Epstein files that were largely already public, drawing heavy criticism for a bungled rollout.
The DOJ has also released hundreds of pages from a sit-down interview with Ghislaine Maxwell, in which she defended herself and criticised some victims.
More recently, members of the House Oversight Committee released additional files and photographs from Epstein’s estate.