The U.S. Department of Justice is now reviewing an estimated 5.2 million pages of documents related to its investigations of Jeffrey Epstein, a far larger and more precise figure than previously disclosed, according to people familiar with the effort. To manage the scope of the work, the department is seeking to enlist roughly 400 lawyers across multiple divisions.
The expanded review underscores the scale of the challenge confronting the department as it works to comply with a congressional mandate to release records tied to the late financier and convicted sex offender. Lawmakers required the Justice Department to make the files public by Dec. 19, but only about 100,000 pages had been released by that deadline.
In the days following the initial disclosure, officials acknowledged that at least one million additional pages remained under review. The updated estimate of 5.2 million pages suggests the total volume of material is several times larger than initially understood.
Lawyers Pulled From Across the Department
Since late November, nearly 200 attorneys from the Justice Department’s national security division have been assigned to examine the files. Their task includes removing information that could identify victims, interfere with ongoing investigations, or compromise national security.
Justice Department leadership has since told employees that more personnel are needed, prompting a broader call for assistance. Prosecutors from U.S. attorneys’ offices in New York and Florida—jurisdictions closely linked to Epstein’s criminal cases—are also expected to take part, along with lawyers who typically handle national security and complex criminal matters.
People familiar with the process said the review is not expected to be completed until at least Jan. 20.
Political and Legal Pressure Mounts
The delayed release has drawn criticism from members of Congress in both parties, who argue that the department missed a clear statutory deadline. Democrats and a small number of Republicans have accused the Trump administration of failing to comply with the law and lacking transparency around the scope of the remaining documents.
The Justice Department has defended its actions, saying the review process is necessary to meet legal obligations. In a public statement, the department said attorneys are working continuously to ensure required redactions are made to protect victims and sensitive information before additional records are released.
Troubled Rollout of Initial Files
The controversy intensified after the first batch of documents was published. Shortly after their release, several images were temporarily removed from the online archive. Officials said the decision was made out of concern that the images might contain information identifying victims.
One of the removed images included a photograph showing other pictures inside a drawer, including at least one of President Donald Trump. Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche said the image was taken down solely because of victim-protection concerns, not because it depicted the president. The image was later restored.
Ongoing Scrutiny
The Justice Department’s handling of the Epstein files continues to face intense public and political scrutiny, both because of the sensitivity of the underlying crimes and the high-profile individuals referenced in the records. As the review expands, questions remain about how long the process will take and when the remaining documents will be released.
For now, officials acknowledge that only a fraction of the material has been made public, with millions of pages still awaiting review.
