DOJ releases all Epstein files under Transparency Act, says 'no records were withheld'

The Department of Justice said withheld Epstein records involved legal privileges, not embarrassment or political sensitivity
PUBLISHED FEB 15, 2026
Donald Trump’s 2025 law led the Department of Justice, under Pam Bondi, to release all Epstein files with 'no records withheld or redacted' (Stephanie Keith/Getty Images)
Donald Trump’s 2025 law led the Department of Justice, under Pam Bondi, to release all Epstein files with 'no records withheld or redacted' (Stephanie Keith/Getty Images)


WASHINGTON, DC: The “Epstein Files Transparency Act,” signed into law by Trump in 2025, has now led to the full public release of the Epstein records. According to the latest update, the Department of Justice (DOJ) confirmed that every file covered under the act has been made available.

Officials said nothing is being held back after months of staged document releases and disclosures that had been promised earlier. Pam Bondi's DOJ stated that “no records were withheld or redacted.” Authorities describe the publication as a complete archive tied to the transparency order.

In this handout, the mug shot of Jeffrey Epstein, 2019. (Photo by Kypros/Getty Images)
In this handout, the mug shot of Jeffrey Epstein, 2019 (Kypros/Getty Images)

The earlier document releases mentioned figures such as Bill Clinton and Bill Gates, along with references connected to Trump. The newest batch introduces additional names like Jay Z, Elon Musk, and others. The materials were officially issued on Saturday, February 14, under the heading “Epstein Files Transparency Act – Section 3 Report to Congress.”

DOJ confirms full Epstein file release under transparency law

The newly published documents include not only names but also formal explanations about withheld materials.

One section reads, "Categories of Records Withheld. The only category of records withheld were those records where permitted withholdings under Section 2(c) and privileged materials were not segregable from material responsive under Section 2(a)."

"As discussed in the Department's December 19, 2025, and January 29, 2026, letters to Congress (the Prior EFTA Letters), the privileges that applied to the withheld records were deliberative-process privilege, work-product privilege, and attorney-client privilege." "No records were withheld or redacted "on the basis of embarrassment, reputational harm, or political sensitivity, including to any government official, public figure, or foreign dignitary." Another portion appears under the heading describing a list of government officials and politically exposed persons.



The documents state, "Below is a list of all government officials and "politically exposed persons" named or referenced in the released materials." "The term "politically exposed persons" was not defined in the Act, but consistent with Section 3 of the Act, Department reviewers were directed to notate "all government officials and politically exposed persons named or referenced" in any document, including videos and images, reviewed during this process."

"This list includes (as directed by the Act) all persons where (1) they are or were a government official or politically exposed person and (2) their name appears in the files released under the Act at least once. Names appear in the files released under the Act in a wide variety of contexts."



The list references a range of public figures, including Mark Zuckerberg, Jay-Z, Ivanka Trump, JD Vance, Nancy Mace, Michelle Obama, Tim Scott, Kevin Spacey, Howard Lutnick, Elon Musk, Ro Khanna, and Prince Harry, along with other names included in the archive.

What is the Transparency Act?

The Epstein Files Transparency Act is a federal disclosure law that requires the Department of Justice (DOJ) to review and release records connected to the Epstein investigation. It directs officials to publish the files covered by the law, identify which public officials are named, and explain why any portions are withheld under legal protections.

The purpose is to make the files public while still protecting information that the law requires to remain private. However, regarding the recent release of the names, the DOJ did not immediately respond to requests for additional comment.

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