At a Glance
- DOJ must review 5.2 million pages of Jeffrey Epstein files
- 400 lawyers are being mobilized for a Jan. 5-Jan. 20 review
- Congress requires release by Dec. 19, but delays have prompted contempt talks
- Why it matters: The rush to comply with federal law exposes gaps in DOJ record-keeping and raises questions about transparency and victim protection
The DOJ is racing to sift through 5.2 million pages of Jeffrey Epstein documents to meet a congressional deadline, mobilizing 400 lawyers and facing political pressure after a failure to release all files by Dec. 19.
DOJ’s Review Effort
The DOJ announced it will deploy roughly 400 employees to review the files from Jan. 5 to Jan. 20. The effort includes lawyers from the department’s headquarters, the FBI, and the Southern Districts of Florida and New York, according to a source familiar with the operation.
- Department of Justice headquarters
- Federal Bureau of Investigation
- Southern District of Florida
- Southern District of New York
Congressional and Political Response
Congress passed a bipartisan law requiring the DOJ to release the files by Dec. 19, but the Trump administration missed that deadline. Representatives Ro Khanna and Thomas Massie have called for contempt proceedings, and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer has signaled a resolution to hold the DOJ in contempt.
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| Dec 19 | Deadline for release |
| Dec 24 | DOJ posted on X about reviewing documents |
| Jan 5-20 | DOJ review window |
Recent Document Releases and Claims
The DOJ released a third batch of 30,000 documents, including an email that claimed Trump flew on Epstein’s plane at least eight times in the 1990s. The DOJ also said some documents contained “untrue and sensationalist claims” made against President Trump.
Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche stated:
> “We are working around the clock to review and make the legally required redactions to protect victims. The Attorney General’s and this Administration’s goal is simple: transparency and protecting victims.”
Representative Ro Khanna wrote on X:
> “.@RepThomasMassie & I will continue to keep the pressure on. After we said we are bringing contempt, the DOJ is now finding millions more documents to release. They need to release the 302 FBI statements & the emails on Epstein’s computer. The Epstein class must go.”
President Trump said:
> “The DOJ is being forced to spend all of its time on this Democrat inspired Hoax.”
Key Takeaways
- DOJ is reviewing 5.2 million pages of Epstein files with 400 lawyers on a tight schedule.
- Congress and lawmakers are pressing for full transparency and potential contempt proceedings.
- Recent releases include claims that Trump flew on Epstein’s plane and allegations of untrue sensationalist claims.
The DOJ’s hurried review underscores the tension between legal obligations and political scrutiny over the handling of Jeffrey Epstein’s records.
