WASHINGTON — In a significant transparency move, the U.S. Department of Justice commenced the disclosure of extensive records pertaining to the late financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein on Friday. This action follows the near-unanimous congressional passage of the Epstein Files Transparency Act last month, which mandated the release by December 19, 2025.
Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche confirmed the initial disclosure encompasses ‘several hundred thousand’ documents, with additional records scheduled for publication in the coming weeks. The released materials include investigative documents, communications, and court records related to federal investigations and prosecutions of Epstein, who maintained associations with numerous high-profile figures in American politics and business before his death in prison in August 2019.
The legislation required the Justice Department to publish all unclassified materials in its possession, with limited exemptions for protecting victim identities through redaction of personally identifiable information and safeguarding active federal investigations. Epstein’s death while in federal custody was officially ruled a suicide, though it has generated ongoing speculation and conspiracy theories.
The document release represents the culmination of years of public pressure and legal battles for transparency regarding Epstein’s extensive network and the handling of his case. President Donald Trump had previously committed during his 2024 campaign to authorize the disclosure of Epstein-related documents if reelected.