DOJ releases Epstein case files under new disclosure law; more documents expected in coming weeks

WASHINGTON — The Justice Department released hundreds of thousands of pages related to the Jeffrey Epstein case Friday, hours after President Trump signed a bipartisan disclosure law aimed at widening access to unclassified records and as much classified material as possible. The dump came as Epstein-related materials were widely sought by media and the public, and the department’s website briefly buckled under the volume of search requests after the release shortly after 4 p.m. ET.

The initial release is expected to include grand jury transcripts from the federal Epstein investigation, along with materials tied to Epstein’s longtime associate Ghislaine Maxwell, who is serving a 20-year prison sentence for sex trafficking conspiracy and related charges. The law requires the department to disclose unclassified records and to provide the maximum extent possible of classified materials, while protecting the identities of victims. Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche indicated in an interview that more documents would be released over the next several weeks as officials continue to vet materials for potential redactions.

The push to disclose the files was led by Rep. Thomas Massie and included support from Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, with Republican lawmakers signing a discharge petition that forced a floor vote over GOP leadership objections. The bill, co-sponsored by Rep. Ro Khanna, passed the House 427-1 and cleared the Senate by unanimous consent before Trump signed it. Democrats on the House Oversight and Judiciary committees quickly criticized the administration for what they described as attempts to delay or narrow disclosures, saying the law obligates the department to explain any withholding of Epstein-related material by January.

Among the materials anticipated to be released Friday were grand jury transcripts from the federal Epstein inquiry, along with files connected to Maxwell. The disclosures build on other related releases, including the November 12 disclosure of roughly 20,000 pages of Epstein estate documents provided to the House Oversight Committee. Public interest in the Epstein case has intensified since a July joint memo from the FBI and DOJ concluded Epstein killed himself in his jail cell in 2019 and that there was no evidence of a broader “client list” of powerful individuals involved in the trafficking scheme.

The disclosures come as lawmakers say the public and Epstein victims deserve full transparency. Democrats on the Oversight and Judiciary panels said the administration should not be permitted to use legal arguments to shield information provided by witnesses or documents that illuminate the scope of Epstein’s alleged network. Republicans who supported the disclosure petition argued the public has a right to see the records, arguing that transparency is essential to accountability and to building trust in the process. DOJ officials stressed that while the law broadens access, victim safety and privacy protections remain a priority in any release.

As the initial tranche lands, Justice Department officials signaled that the agency intends to maintain a steady cadence of releases in the coming weeks, aligning with the law’s mandate to publish as much information as possible while safeguarding sensitive information. The department has indicated it will publicly explain any material it withholds and will continue to process additional documents as findings are reviewed, redacted, or otherwise prepared for dissemination.