DOJ deploys task force of 400 lawyers to review more than 5 million pages of Epstein records: Report
WASHINGTON, DC: The Department of Justice is grappling with a massive document review after discovering more than 5.2 million pages of material potentially linked to Jeffrey Epstein, a volume so large that it has required the deployment of a roughly 400-lawyer review team, according to a report published by The New York Times on Wednesday, December 31.
The scope of the records far exceeds the “over one million” pages the department initially referenced last week. With the statutory deadline under the Epstein Files Transparency Act already expired, officials now say the full review is unlikely to be completed before January 20.
Prosecutors working round the clock
To manage the volume, the DOJ has reassigned prosecutors from across the country, including attorneys handling national security, criminal prosecutions, and staff from US attorney’s offices in New York and Florida.
The review effort intensified after the Manhattan US Attorney’s office identified a substantial portion of the records. DOJ officials said last week that teams were “working around the clock” to process the files and apply legally required redactions to protect victims and third parties.
However, the unprecedented scale of the material has reportedly significantly slowed progress beyond standard review timelines.
Threats of fines for Pam Bondi
The delay has drawn sharp criticism from lawmakers who authored the transparency legislation. Reps Ro Khanna (D-CA) and Thomas Massie (R-KY) told The New York Post that they are considering follow-up legislation aimed at pressuring the department to accelerate disclosure.
One proposal under discussion would impose a $5,000-per-day fine on Attorney General Pam Bondi until the remaining records are released. The lawmakers also objected to what they described as extensive redactions in roughly 100,000 pages made public so far.
Bill Clinton photos and Trump flights
Documents released to date have already drawn attention. Among them are photographs showing former President Bill Clinton alongside Epstein and his longtime associate Ghislaine Maxwell.
The disclosures also included a 2020 internal email from a Manhattan federal prosecutor stating that President Donald Trump flew on Epstein’s private aircraft at least eight times in the mid-1990s.
The report notes that there is no evidence Trump was aware of Epstein’s criminal conduct at the time or that he engaged in any wrongdoing.
DOJ defends transparency efforts amid criticism
Despite mounting criticism, the DOJ insists that it is meeting its legal obligations under the transparency law while prioritizing victim protection.
Officials say that the review process involves removing sensitive personal details from millions of pages before any additional releases. The department has set a tentative internal target of late January to complete the remaining disclosures.
