Overview
- The statute requires the Justice Department to release by December 19 a large cache of records on Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell, including investigative material, flight logs and documentation of Epstein’s 2019 death.
- The law allows redactions for victim identities, child sexual‑abuse material, classified information or material that could jeopardize an active investigation or ongoing prosecution.
- Critics caution that a recently opened DOJ probe into Epstein’s ties to prominent Democrats and institutions could be used to justify withholding details, though any such limits must be narrowly tailored and temporary under the law.
- Within 15 days after publication, the department must disclose a summary of redactions, describe categories of materials released and withheld, and publish a list of all government officials and politically exposed persons named in the files.
- The fight has grown more partisan as House Democrats released 19 photos from Epstein’s estate featuring President Trump and others, prompting the White House to reiterate that the transparency push is a “Democrat hoax.”