WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) is set to release new documents related to Jeffrey Epstein on Thursday, with Attorney General Pam Bondi confirming that the files will include flight logs, names, and extensive details about his network.
In an interview with Fox News on Wednesday, Bondi described the revelations as “deeply disturbing” and stated that officials are finalizing redactions to protect the identities of victims.
Key Developments:
DOJ Unveils First Phase of Epstein Files
7:08 p.m. ET – The Justice Department, in collaboration with the FBI, has released the initial phase of declassified documents related to Jeffrey Epstein, exposing details about his operations and crimes against more than 250 underage victims.
Attorney General Bondi emphasized that this release is only the beginning, with thousands of additional pages yet to be disclosed.
“These documents mark the first step in providing long-overdue transparency,” Bondi said, reaffirming the DOJ’s commitment to accountability.
Contents of the Released Documents
The newly declassified materials, many of which had been previously leaked but never officially released by the government, include:
- Flight logs from U.S. v. Ghislaine Maxwell
- An evidence list
- A redacted contact book
- A redacted “masseuse list,” believed to reference Epstein’s victims
[Read the full declassified Epstein files here: DOJ Release – ‘Phase 1’ Documents]
Criticism Over Redactions and Lack of New Information
4:34 p.m. ET – A New York Post review of the newly released files found that much of the information remains heavily redacted, with little significant new detail. Though labeled as “declassified,” it remains unclear whether these documents were ever formally classified.
The limited scope of the release has sparked criticism from lawmakers, including Rep. Anna Paulina Luna (R-FL), who leads a House GOP transparency task force.
“I nor the task force were given or reviewed the Epstein documents being released today,” Luna tweeted. “This is not what the American people asked for—this is a complete disappointment. We demand full transparency.”
Attorney General Bondi Pressures FBI to Release Withheld Documents
4:00 p.m. ET – Bondi has sent a formal letter to FBI Director Kash Patel, accusing federal investigators in New York of withholding critical Epstein-related documents.
She stated that while she previously requested the full case file, only 200 pages were provided—far fewer than what was disclosed last year in legal proceedings tied to Ghislaine Maxwell.
“Late yesterday, I was informed that the FBI’s New York Field Office possesses thousands of pages related to Epstein’s investigation,” Bondi wrote, demanding the immediate release of all related records, audio, and video by 8:00 a.m. Friday.
“There will be no withholding or limitations on access,” she warned.
Conservative Commentators Seen at White House Holding ‘Epstein Files’ Binders
1:40 p.m. ET – Just hours after Bondi vowed to release Epstein-related documents, conservative commentators were spotted at the White House carrying binders labeled “The Epstein Files.”
The contents of these binders remain unclear, and officials have not confirmed whether the materials inside had ever been formally classified. Among those seen with the documents was political commentator Rogan O’Handley, known online as “DC Draino.”
The Epstein Case: A Web of Abuse and Secrecy
What We Know:
Jeffrey Epstein’s crimes and connections to influential figures have been extensively documented through lawsuits, public disclosures, and Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests.
In January 2024, a court unsealed thousands of pages from a lawsuit filed by Epstein survivor Virginia Giuffre. The documents referenced high-profile figures, including Donald Trump, Bill Clinton, Prince Andrew, and magician David Copperfield—though no evidence implicated them in wrongdoing.
One victim testified about meeting Michael Jackson at Epstein’s Florida home but stated that no misconduct occurred.
Epstein, accused of sexually abusing dozens of underage girls in the early 2000s, served only 13 months in jail after negotiating a controversial plea deal with federal prosecutors in Florida. In 2019, he was arrested on new sex trafficking charges in New York but died by suicide in jail before standing trial.
[READ MORE: Second batch of Epstein documents unsealed in Ghislaine Maxwell lawsuit]
What Remains Unclear:
It is uncertain whether the newly released DOJ files will provide significant new insights or simply reaffirm existing knowledge. While officials have released flight logs and names, it remains to be seen whether additional high-profile figures will be implicated.
Moreover, while former President Trump previously indicated he would support full declassification of Epstein-related documents, the extent of future disclosures remains unknown.
Epstein’s case continues to captivate global attention, with lingering questions about his powerful connections, secret plea agreements, and the circumstances surrounding his death.
Anyone who suspects human trafficking can call the National Human Trafficking Hotline at (888) 373-7888.
