DOJ Misses Deadline on Epstein Files, Less Than 1% Released

January 3, 2026

Despite the Epstein Files Transparency Act passing the House 427-1 and the Senate by unanimous consent, the Department of Justice has released less than 1% of documents one month past the December 19 deadline. Reps. Khanna and Massie, who drafted the law, say DOJ is in "flagrant violation" and sought appointment of a special master. Victims' advocates note that alleged abusers' names are redacted while survivors' identifying details remain visible. On January 8, 2026, Khanna and Massie wrote to Judge Paul Engelmayer asking him to appoint a special master to compel compliance, arguing the Department had "flagrantly and consistently ignored" the law's disclosure requirements since it was signed on November 19, 2025. They followed with a January 30 letter to Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche. The standoff continued into the summer: on July 15, 2026, Massie, Khanna, Leger Fernández, Merkley and Luján introduced the Epstein Files Transparency Act II, which would give state attorneys general, victims and members of Congress standing to sue the DOJ over non-compliance, with sponsors saying more than 3 million files remained unlawfully withheld.