The Department of Justice admits it has reviewed less than 1% of Jeffrey Epstein’s files despite Congress passing the Epstein Files Transparency Act months ago, leaving over 2 million documents hidden from public scrutiny.
Story Snapshot
- DOJ has released only 12,285 documents out of over 2 million Epstein-related files
- Over 400 DOJ lawyers and 100+ FBI analysts are involved in the massive review process
- The Epstein Files Transparency Act was signed in November 2025, mandating comprehensive disclosure
- No firm completion date has been provided for releasing the remaining 99% of documents
Massive Document Cache Remains Sealed
The Department of Justice revealed in a January 5, 2026 letter to US District Judge Paul Engelmayer that it has made minimal progress on the Epstein file releases mandated by Congress.
With approximately 12,285 documents comprising 125,575 pages released so far, the DOJ admits this represents less than one percent of the total cache. Over 2 million additional records remain in various phases of review, raising serious questions about government transparency and accountability.
DOJ says it has reviewed less than 1% of Epstein files so far https://t.co/KIQNiT3wwh
— CBS Mornings (@CBSMornings) January 6, 2026
Unprecedented Federal Resource Allocation Raises Eyebrows
The scope of this review operation is staggering, involving more than 400 DOJ lawyers with 125 from the Southern District of New York alone, plus dozens from other offices and over 100 FBI analysts.
This massive bureaucratic mobilization supposedly aims to process files spanning investigations from 2005 onward, including the controversial 2008 Florida plea deal that many conservatives viewed as a sweetheart arrangement for the wealthy financier.
Congressional Mandate Met with Bureaucratic Delays
The Epstein Files Transparency Act, signed into law on November 19, 2025, specifically required the DOJ to review and release non-sensitive records to ensure public accountability. However, the department’s glacial pace undermines legislative intent and fuels suspicions about protecting elite networks.
The DOJ claims it prioritizes victim privacy “to the maximum extent practicable” while promising releases “as soon as possible,” yet provides no concrete timeline for completion.
This systematic foot-dragging exemplifies the deep state’s resistance to transparency that President Trump’s supporters have long criticized. The files potentially contain explosive revelations about high-profile figures, including politicians and celebrities who may have been compromised by Epstein’s operation.
The DOJ’s sluggish response serves the interests of those who prefer these connections remain buried in bureaucratic reviews rather than exposed to public scrutiny.
Elite Protection Scheme Disguised as Due Process
The timing and scale of these delays suggest institutional resistance to full disclosure. Jeffrey Epstein’s network allegedly involved powerful individuals across political and business spheres, making complete transparency a threat to established power structures.
While the DOJ cites victim privacy concerns, critics argue this reasoning conveniently shields potential co-conspirators from accountability. The 2008 non-prosecution agreement already demonstrated how the justice system protected Epstein once before.
Americans deserve to know the full extent of this criminal network and any government failures that enabled it to operate for years.
The current administration must pressure the DOJ to accelerate this process and provide regular public updates with firm deadlines. Transparency serves justice; endless bureaucratic reviews serve those with something to hide.
Sources:
Over 2 million Epstein-related documents still under review: US Justice Department
Donald Trump DOJ Reveals How Much of the Jeffrey Epstein Files Are Still Secret
