The U.S. Department of Justice on Friday released its final and largest batch of documents related to the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, following a law passed in November that mandated the disclosure of all Epstein-related records.
Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche said at a press conference that the newly published material marks the conclusion of document releases required under the law. The final disclosure includes more than three million pages of records, along with roughly 2,000 videos and 180,000 images.
Blanche noted that the files contain extensive redactions, as permitted under the law, to protect the identities of victims and exclude information linked to ongoing investigations. Earlier releases were also heavily redacted, prompting criticism from some members of Congress. Reuters said it is currently reviewing the newly released material.
The law compelling disclosure was advanced by lawmakers from both parties after former President Donald Trump resisted releasing the records for several months. Trump, who had social ties with Epstein in the 1990s and early 2000s before a later falling out, has not been accused of wrongdoing related to Epstein and has repeatedly denied any knowledge of his crimes. However, the issue has continued to follow Trump politically, especially after he pledged during his 2024 presidential campaign to make the files public.
It remains unclear how many of the newly released documents mention Trump. The Justice Department’s initial release in December contained relatively few references to him.
In a statement accompanying Friday’s disclosure, the Justice Department said some documents include “untrue and sensationalist claims” against Trump that were submitted to the FBI shortly before the 2020 election. The department emphasized that these claims were false and lacked credibility, adding that any legitimate allegations would have already been pursued.
Blanche also said certain materials were withheld under legal protections such as attorney-client privilege and attorney work product. Some lawmakers have questioned whether these withholdings comply with the law, which requires disclosure of internal communications related to decisions on whether to investigate or charge Epstein or his associates.
According to Blanche, the Justice Department will submit a report to Congress detailing all redactions and withheld documents, as required by statute. Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer said he does not believe the department has fully complied with the law.
Epstein, a New York-based financier with connections to prominent political and business figures, was found dead in his jail cell in 2019 while awaiting trial on federal sex trafficking charges. His death was officially ruled a suicide, though it has fueled years of conspiracy theories, some of which Trump echoed during his 2024 campaign.
Responding to criticism, Blanche rejected claims that the Justice Department was protecting Epstein’s associates or withholding evidence of criminal activity. He said there is no hidden list of individuals being shielded from prosecution and stressed that the department has not declined to act on credible evidence.
Blanche also defended the delayed release of the records, explaining that the sheer volume of material required hundreds of attorneys to work for weeks to review and prepare the files. Although the law set a December 19, 2025, deadline, officials said additional time was necessary to complete the process.
The Epstein case continues to pose a political challenge for Trump, who is already facing declining approval ratings on issues such as the economy and immigration enforcement.
