The US Justice Department has discovered more than one million additional records that may be linked to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The finding will delay the full public release of sensitive files for several weeks. Officials say the delay is needed to protect victims and follow the law.
The newly identified material was found by the FBI and the US Attorney’s Office in Manhattan. The Justice Department shared the update in a message posted on social media on Wednesday. It did not explain when or how the records were located. The department only confirmed the volume was large and required careful review.
The release of Epstein documents began after Congress passed a new law last month. The law requires the government to make all related records public by December 19. It allows limited redactions to protect victims and sensitive personal details. The legislation passed with support from both Republicans and Democrats.
President Donald Trump opposed the law. Despite his objections, his administration began releasing Epstein documents to comply with the new legal requirement. Jeffrey Epstein, a former financier, had social ties with Trump during the 1990s. Epstein later died in jail in 2019 while awaiting trial on federal sex trafficking charges.
So far, the released files have contained heavy redactions. This has caused frustration among some lawmakers, especially within the Republican Party. Critics argue the releases lack transparency and do not answer key public questions. The controversy has added pressure ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.
The Justice Department defended its approach. Officials said lawyers are working nonstop to review each file. Their goal is to remove information that could harm victims or violate privacy laws. The department stressed that victim protection remains a top priority.
Due to the scale of the newly found records, officials warned that the process will take time. They said reviewing over a million files cannot be done quickly or carelessly. A rushed release could expose victims or disrupt ongoing legal matters.
The department stated it would release the Epstein documents as soon as legally possible. It promised that all material covered by the law would be made public after proper review. Until then, partial releases may continue.
In other related news also read Donald Trump Backs House Vote to Release Jeffrey Epstein Files
The discovery highlights the complexity of handling historic criminal records. It also shows the challenges of balancing transparency with legal and ethical responsibilities.
