DOJ releases fresh batch of Epstein-related court documents in ongoing transparency effort

DOJ added court filings that detailed past Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell cases but noted that sensitive details like phone logs were obscured
PUBLISHED 2 HOURS AGO
DOJ expanded the Epstein records archive under new law as the latest release added court filings and FOIA documents (Getty Images)
DOJ expanded the Epstein records archive under new law as the latest release added court filings and FOIA documents (Getty Images)

WASHINGTON, DC: The Justice Department released two additional batches of Jeffrey Epstein-related records early Saturday, December 20, expanding the growing public archive created under the Epstein Files Transparency Act.

The newly posted materials consisted primarily of court documents from prior federal and state cases involving Epstein and his associate Ghislaine Maxwell.

The releases follow Friday’s publication of thousands of pages of records and photographs tied to Epstein investigations across multiple jurisdictions.

Photo released from the Jeffrey Epstein files shows Donald Trump with multiple women, redactions were done by the Democrats on the House Oversight Committee (Democrats on the House Oversight Committee)
Photo released from the Jeffrey Epstein files shows Donald Trump with multiple women, redactions were done by the Democrats on the House Oversight Committee (Democrats on the House Oversight Committee)

Court documents added in latest release

According to the Justice Department, the Saturday disclosures included filings from past criminal and civil proceedings connected to Epstein and Maxwell.

The documents are accessible through the DOJ’s online Epstein library, where court records, DOJ disclosures, FOIA releases, and congressional documents are grouped together.

WASHINGTON, DC - JUNE 1: The E. Barrett Prettyman United States Federal Courthouse on June, 2025 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Kevin Carter/Getty Images)
Court filings from prior federal and state cases against Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell were included in the latest release (Kevin Carter/Getty Images)

An initial review of the newly released court filings reportedly showed no searchable mentions of ‘Trump’, ‘Donald Trump’, ‘Clinton’, or ‘Bill Clinton’.

The Justice Department cautioned that some portions of the documents contained redactions, limiting the ability to fully search all names and references.

Redacted messages appear in phone records

Among the documents released on Saturday were records that reflected handwritten or transcribed phone messages associated with Epstein.

Several entries reportedly referenced communications noting the availability of ‘females’ or ‘girls’ for ‘JE’, though identifying details were redacted.

(US Department of Justice)
Some documents in the new batch contained redactions that limit keyword searches within the files (US Department of Justice)

One entry reportedly listed a phone call recorded as coming from ‘Donald Trump’, without a date or message content attached.

The record did not provide additional context, and the Justice Department did not indicate the significance of the entry.

(US Department of Justice)
Previously filed phone logs and message records appear in redacted form within the released court materials
(US Department of Justice)

President Donald Trump had previously acknowledged knowing Epstein socially, but claimed that their relationship ended around 2004.

Trump has consistently denied any wrongdoing related to Epstein and has not been accused of misconduct in the case.

DOJ continues incremental disclosures

The Justice Department has stated that the records are being released in stages as part of an ongoing review process, citing volume and privacy considerations.

Officials have said that reasonable efforts are being made to protect personal information while meeting congressional disclosure requirements.

More records are expected to be released as the review continues.

GET BREAKING U.S. NEWS & POLITICAL UPDATES
STRAIGHT TO YOUR INBOX.

MORE STORIES

Rudy Giuliani argued that ending homeless sweeps could undo decades of progress and expose the city to rising crime risks
5 minutes ago
Ro Khanna accused the DOJ of failing victims through partial disclosures and shielding powerful men who blocked law enforcement from acting
2 hours ago
An undated image showed Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor in a black‑tie attire, reclining on women’s laps and smiling as Ghislaine Maxwell stood behind him
4 hours ago
Luigi Mangione’s defense highlighted Pam Bondi’s past ties to Ballard Partners, a firm still reportedly linked to UnitedHealthcare
5 hours ago
Donald Trump, 79, approved the release of the files last month following controversy, after earlier dismissing Epstein’s case as a 'hoax'
11 hours ago
Democrats criticized the DOJ for violating the intent of the law in releasing the Epstein files
12 hours ago
The White House pointed to Justice Department disclosures and House Oversight cooperation as proof of openness while critics questioned timing and intent
12 hours ago
Kennedy family also criticized Kennedy Center Board’s decision to rename its signage
12 hours ago
As DOJ released Epstein files, internet noticed there were several redactions as many pages were blacked out
13 hours ago
Jasmine Crockett questioned whether releasing hundreds of such pages counts as compliance with the law.
14 hours ago