The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) stated on December 25, 2025, that it may require additional weeks to complete the release of records concerning the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. This announcement follows the identification of more than a million documents that could be pertinent to the case, which has delayed compliance with a congressional deadline set for the previous Friday.

A group of twelve U.S. senators, comprising eleven Democrats and one Republican, has urged the DOJ's inspector general to investigate the department's failure to meet this deadline. They emphasized that victims deserve full disclosure and the assurance of an independent review. The DOJ acknowledged in a social media post that federal prosecutors in Manhattan and the FBI had uncovered these additional documents, contradicting earlier assertions that a thorough review had been conducted.

In March, Attorney General Pam Bondi had indicated that a significant amount of evidence had been produced following her directive to the FBI to deliver all Epstein-related files. However, a memo from July suggested that the DOJ had completed an exhaustive review and found no further evidence to release, which raised questions about the transparency of the previous administration's handling of the case.

Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche noted that Manhattan federal prosecutors already possessed over 3.6 million records from investigations into Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell, although many were duplicates of previously submitted materials. The DOJ is currently working to review the newly discovered documents while ensuring the protection of victims' identities, as mandated by the Epstein Files Transparency Act, enacted the previous month.

The DOJ has faced increasing scrutiny regarding its staggered release of Epstein-related records, with some lawmakers and victims expressing concerns about the adequacy of the disclosures. Republican Representative Thomas Massie criticized the DOJ for alleged illegal redactions and missing the deadline, while Democratic Representative Ro Khanna indicated that he and Massie would continue to apply pressure for compliance. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer characterized the late announcement of additional files as indicative of a cover-up, questioning what information might be withheld from the public.

The White House defended the DOJ's actions, asserting that the administration is committed to transparency. Following the initial release of documents, the DOJ has continued to post additional materials, although many of these have been heavily redacted or lacked context. Some newly released records included grand jury testimony and communications involving Epstein and notable figures, raising further questions about the extent of complicity in his activities.

The senators' request for an inspector general audit reflects concerns about the administration's historical reluctance to disclose information related to Epstein, highlighting the need for a thorough assessment of compliance with statutory requirements. They argued that full transparency is crucial for identifying individuals who may have facilitated Epstein's criminal activities.