Epstein File Release Stalls, Fueling Outrage and Accusations of a Cover-Up

Lawyers representing Jeffrey Epstein’s victims are furious after the Department of Justice blew past a legal deadline to release millions of investigative files, sparking fresh accusations that powerful people are still orchestrating a cover-up.

It’s been a month since the December 19 deadline, mandated by the Epstein Files Transparency Act, came and went. The vast majority of the documents are still nowhere to be seen, a failure that many see as just the latest chapter in a long and frustrating saga of justice denied.

"It has never been about the victims. It’s about powerful men covering up for each other, and that cover-up continues," said Lisa Bloom, an attorney who has represented 11 of Epstein's survivors. "Shame on all those who are obstructing the victims getting the full release of all the files that they deserve."

That feeling is shared by many. Jennifer Plotkin of Merson Law, whose firm represents nearly three dozen survivors, echoed the frustration. "The government continues to avoid accountability and disregards the victims," she said. "It’s shocking that the government defends their inactions and relations with Epstein yet somehow claim to be transparent."

Gloria Allred, who has represented more than 20 Epstein survivors, stressed how clear the law was. "The Epstein Files Transparency Act could not have been clearer that the deadline for the release of the files with certain exceptions was 19 December," Allred noted, saying she was glad a judge is finally demanding the DOJ explain itself. "For many of the victims, they are tired of the excuses... As lawyers we often say, ‘Justice delayed is justice denied.’ There have been three decades of denial of justice for survivors of Jeffrey Epstein and the pattern of denial of justice continues in 2026 with no end in sight."

The push for transparency came from both sides of the aisle, culminating in the act which Donald Trump signed into law after facing significant pressure. His administration was supposed to release the files within 30 days. The issue was a flashpoint for many who believe Epstein’s abuse was enabled by his ties to powerful men like Bill Clinton and Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, both of whom deny any wrongdoing. Trump, also an associate of Epstein's, has denied any misconduct and has said he cut ties with him years before the crimes became public.

Even though he could have released the files earlier in his second term, Trump only signed the act after months of pressure, remarking, "We have nothing to hide. It’s time to move on from this Democrat Hoax perpetrated by Radical Left Lunatics."

While a handful of documents did surface around the deadline, it was a drop in the bucket compared to what the government is holding. In a court filing on January 5, DOJ attorneys admitted that while they had released 12,285 documents—about 125,575 pages—they had found "more than 2 million documents potentially responsive to the act" that are still being reviewed.

This huge gap has prompted the act's co-sponsors, Representatives Ro Khanna (D-CA) and Thomas Massie (R-KY), to suggest appointing a special master to take over the process, an idea the DOJ is fighting.

Now, the calls for someone to be held accountable are only getting louder. "The [justice department’s] failure to abide by the 30-day deadline... is a direct, flat violation of the statutory requirement. It is also a breach of the public trust," said Jennifer Freeman of Marsh Law, who represents victim Maria Farmer. Freeman argues that a special master or an inspector general is the only way to "oversee compliance with the deadline" and make sure the release is timely, complete, and properly redacted.