Epstein case: US DOJ uncovers over 1 million new documents
What's the story
The United States Department of Justice (DOJ) on Wednesday revealed that more than a million more documents potentially linked to the Jeffrey Epstein case have been discovered. The new documents were brought to light by the US Attorney for the Southern District of New York and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), it said in an X post. However, the DOJ added it needs "a few more weeks" to review these documents before they can be released to the public.
Compliance scrutiny
DOJ under pressure to comply with Epstein Files Transparency Act
The revelation comes as the DOJ faces criticism for not releasing all the documents related to investigations into the late child sex offender by December 19, as mandated by the Epstein Files Transparency Act. It has been releasing documents in batches to comply with the new law passed by Congress last month. Moreover, department officials have cited the need for more time to redact information in the files to protect victims and address potential legal concerns as reasons for delays.
Political backlash
Bipartisan lawmakers criticize DOJ's handling of Epstein files
The DOJ's handling of the Epstein files under President Donald Trump has drawn criticism from bipartisan lawmakers and survivors of Epstein's abuse. Some have raised concerns over seemingly haphazard redactions that shielded the late financier's associates while under-redacted documents exposed victims' information. Democratic Representative Ro Khanna and Republican Representative Thomas Massie, who advocated for the bipartisan bill mandating public disclosure of the Epstein files, vowed to keep pushing for transparency after learning about more undisclosed documents.
Revelations unfold
New documents reveal Trump's past connections with Epstein
Meanwhile, newly released documents revealed that, in 2020, federal prosecutors gathered evidence of Trump taking multiple flights on Epstein's private jet in the 1990s. In fact, the DOJ had also subpoenaed the president's Mar-a-Lago club before the trial of Epstein's associate Ghislaine Maxwell in 2021. These revelations have further fueled scrutiny over how the DOJ is handling these sensitive files under the Trump administration.
Defense stance
DOJ defends its actions amid criticism
However, the DOJ has defended its actions, stating that it is now legally obligated to release all the documents related to Epstein in its possession. The department continues to review the newly discovered documents, though it has not revealed how exactly they were found or what they contained. "We have lawyers working around the clock to review and make the legally required redactions to protect victims, and we will release the documents as soon as possible," it stated.