Daijiworld Media Network - Washington
Washington, Dec 25: The administration of US President Donald Trump has announced that the release of records related to alleged sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein will take “a few more weeks”, after federal prosecutors uncovered more than a million additional documents linked to the case.
In a statement posted on the Justice Department’s official X handle on December 24, authorities said New York-based federal prosecutors and the FBI have identified over a million more documents that could be related to the Epstein investigation. The department did not clarify when these documents were discovered.
The Justice Department, led by Attorney General Pam Bondi, said lawyers are working round the clock to redact sensitive information in order to protect the privacy of victims and accusers. However, it acknowledged that the process would take additional time beyond the original deadline.
The Trump administration had begun releasing files connected to criminal investigations into Epstein, the late American financier who had social ties with Trump in the 1990s and early 2000s, in compliance with a law passed by Congress last month. The legislation mandated that all records be released by December 19, while permitting limited redactions to safeguard victims.
So far, the released material — including documents, photographs and emails — has featured prominent names such as Trump, former President Bill Clinton and several other high-profile individuals. Authorities have clarified that none of them have been accused of wrongdoing in connection with Epstein.
The disclosure law was passed with bipartisan support from Republicans and Democrats, despite strong objections from Trump. However, extensive redactions in the documents released so far have drawn criticism from some Republicans and failed to ease political controversy ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.
Reacting sharply to the delay, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer of New York accused the administration of a cover-up.
“A Christmas Eve news dump of ‘a million more files’ only proves what we already know: Trump is engaged in a massive coverup,” Schumer wrote on social media, demanding immediate compliance with the law.
“The question Americans deserve answered is simple: what are they hiding — and why? Justice delayed is justice denied.”
The delay has further fuelled political debate in Washington, with pressure mounting on the administration to release the remaining records in full compliance with the congressional mandate.