The US Justice Department says it will begin releasing long-awaited files related to Jeffrey Epstein, but not all documents will be made public right away.
Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche said the department expects to release several hundred thousand pages at first, with more files coming out over the next few weeks.
Midnight Deadline Set by New Law
The release follows a deadline set by the Epstein Files Transparency Act. The law gave the Justice Department 30 days, until 19 December, to publish the records.
The bill passed Congress with near-unanimous support and was later signed into law by President Donald Trump, after he reversed his earlier opposition to releasing the files.
What the Law Requires
The law requires the government to release all unclassified records, documents, communications, and investigative materials in the Justice Department’s possession related to the investigation and prosecution of Jeffrey Epstein.
However, officials say much of the material is likely to be heavily redacted to protect sensitive information.
What Officials Have Said
Speaking on Fox & Friends, Blanche said the initial release would include a wide range of material.
“Today is the 30 days when I expect that we’re going to release several hundred thousand documents today,” he said. “And those documents will come in all different forms, photographs and other materials associated with all of the investigations into Mr. Epstein.”
Congress Has Already Released Some Material
In the weeks leading up to the deadline, House Democrats have released batches of documents and photos taken from Epstein’s estate.
Lawmakers say they are reviewing a large collection that includes about 20,000 documents and 95,000 photos.
Concerns About Context and Redactions
Democratic Congressman Robert Garcia said many of the documents arrived without proper context. He said lawmakers have been working to redact information that could identify or harm potential victims.
High-Profile Names Appear in Files
The documents and images include references to several well-known figures, including Donald Trump, former President Bill Clinton, Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates, and Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor.
Officials stress that appearing in the documents or photos does not mean someone committed a crime. Many of the people named have said they had no involvement in Epstein’s illegal activities.
