The US Justice Department said on Wednesday that it may require several more weeks to release the so-called Epstein files after finding more than one million documents potentially relevant to the case.
The deadline set by a congressional committee to release documents related to late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein has long passed.
Why is there a delay in releasing the Epstein files?
A social media post describing the discovery of the documents by the Justice Department did not mention when the new documents were found, but did mention that department lawyers were working “around the clock” to remove information that could expose victims.
“Due to the sheer volume of material, this process may take a few more weeks,” the post reads.
The discovery of the documents comes after Justice Department officials said several months ago that they had already conducted a comprehensive review of available documents related to the case.
This means the documents will be made public after the congressional deadline set for Friday.
How did US lawmakers react?
Eleven senators, both Democratic and Republican, turned to the Justice Department watchdog, asking for an investigation into the authority’s failure to release the files by the deadline.
The senators said victims were entitled to “full disclosure” and “peace of mind” from an independent investigation.
Republican Representative Thomas Massie, one of the authors of the Epstein Files Transparency Act, a law that requires the US government to open its cases regarding Epstein and longtime confidante Ghislaine Maxwell, said the DOJ “broke the law” by missing the deadline.
Democratic Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said the news about the new documents accused US President Donald Trump of a “massive cover-up”.
“The question Americans need answered is simple: What are they hiding, and why?”