The US Department of Justice (DOJ) released at least 8,000 additional documents related to the case of convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein on Tuesday, following weeks of criticism over delays, redactions and alleged non-compliance with a new transparency law.
The documents were uploaded to the DOJ’s website, making it one of the largest public disclosures linked to the Epstein investigation so far.
However, the rollout itself has drawn criticism, with users pointing out that several links appeared to be broken or led to empty pages.
New files include surveillance footage
According to the DOJ, the latest release includes hundreds of video and audio recordings. Among them is surveillance footage from August 2019, the same month Epstein was found dead in his jail cell while awaiting trial on federal sex trafficking charges.
Epstein’s death, officially ruled a suicide, has long fuelled public suspicion and calls for greater transparency surrounding the investigation and the circumstances of his detention.
The Justice Department has been accused of withholding information and has faced criticism from Democrats and victims’ advocates over what they describe as a slow and opaque release process.
Watch: Redacted Epstein Files Trigger Internet Meme Fest | Vantage with Palki Sharma
Congress nearly unanimously passed the Epstein Files Transparency Act (EFTA), which required the complete release of Epstein-related records by last Friday.
However, a group of victims earlier complained that only a “fraction” of the files were made public and said those were “riddled with abnormal and extreme redactions with no explanation.”
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Lawmakers threaten legal action
Frustration in Congress has continued to build.
EFTA co-sponsors Ro Khanna, a Democrat, and Republican Thomas Massie warned they could pursue contempt proceedings against Attorney General Pam Bondi for failing to comply with the law.
On Monday, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer introduced a resolution calling for legal action against the administration for failing to release the complete Epstein files, further escalating the standoff between lawmakers and the Justice Department.
Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche defended the delays, citing the need to redact identifying details of Epstein’s more than 1,000 victims. Blanche also denied allegations on Sunday that the administration was protecting President Donald Trump, who was previously a close associate of Epstein.
Trump had initially attempted to block the disclosure of the files. However, amid mounting bipartisan pressure from Congress, the president ultimately signed the law compelling their release. Trump has said he cut ties with Epstein years before his arrest and faces no accusations of wrongdoing.
Despite Tuesday’s release, lawmakers and victims’ advocates say significant questions remain over whether all required documents have now been made public.
