DOJ says it will not meet Epstein file release deadline, citing victim protections

The U.S. Department of Justice said Friday it will not meet the 30-day deadline to publicize all unclassified records tied to Jeffrey Epstein, his longtime associate Ghislaine Maxwell, and others named or referenced in the files. Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche told Fox News that the department is reviewing each document to ensure that victims’ names and identities, and their stories, are fully protected before release. He said the administration expects to begin releasing hundreds of thousands of pages now and continue in the weeks ahead, with additional releases to follow as redactions are finalized and as the department completes its internal reviews.

Under the Epstein Files Transparency Act, signed by President Donald Trump last month, DOJ was required to publicly disclose all unclassified records, documents, communications, and investigative materials related to Epstein and related figures within 30 days, and to provide a justification within 15 days for any withheld materials. Blanche noted the complexity of the files and the need to protect victims as the primary reason for the delay, signaling that redactions will be extensive. The department has said it will also release documents connected to internal deliberations within the DOJ about whether to charge or investigate Epstein.

The Epstein case has drawn renewed attention this year after public pressure and scrutiny of whether the files would be released fully. Epstein faced a federal probe in the early 2000s after a 14-year-old girl’s family filed a complaint alleging sexual abuse. A draft indictment outlining about 60 criminal counts was never pursued in full after Epstein accepted a plea deal with the U.S. Attorney’s Office that yielded a relatively light sentence. He later faced charges in 2019 in Manhattan for sex trafficking of minors and conspiracy. Epstein died by apparent suicide while awaiting trial in August 2019. The saga remains a flashpoint because of his documented associations with prominent figures in politics, finance, entertainment, and academia.

Public interest has intensified as lawmakers and survivors have pressed for broader access to the records. Democrats on the House Oversight Committee have begun releasing selective Epstein materials, including photographs of several high-profile individuals, such as former President Trump, former White House adviser Steve Bannon, and former President Bill Clinton. The committee has also circulated letters from Epstein’s personal book, which included notes allegedly referencing the president. Trump has acknowledged a public friendship with Epstein but has repeatedly denied knowledge of Epstein’s crimes. The continued release of materials and the handling of sensitive information have spurred debate about transparency and accountability in a case that intersects spheres of power and influence.

Senate Democrats have criticized the administration’s pace. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, a Democrat from New York, described the delay as a potential violation of the law, saying that lawmakers are working with victims’ attorneys and independent experts to determine what documents remain withheld and what may be concealed. Rep. Thomas Massie, a Kentucky Republican, likewise criticized the DOJ, warning that penalties could apply if key materials are not released.

As the DOJ proceeds with the review, officials say the public should expect a staggered release rather than a single, comprehensive dump. The Epstein Files Transparency Act gives the department additional time to redact sensitive information and to explain why certain documents are withheld, while publicly tracking the progress of the release. The department has vowed to maintain transparency where possible, even as it navigates the sensitive nature of the materials and the ongoing legal and ethical obligations to protect victims.

The evolving release schedule comes amid broader questions about how information involving powerful figures should be disclosed, how victim identities are safeguarded, and how judicial transparency can be balanced with privacy concerns. In the weeks ahead, analysts will be watching how the DOJ implements the statutory framework, how much material is released publicly, and which items remain under review, all while political pressure from both sides of the aisle continues to shape the discourse around Epstein’s legacy and the pursuit of full disclosure.