DOJ Released Only 2% of Epstein Files Despite Flagging Elvis Presley and Marilyn Monroe, Study Claims
According to a recent investigation, the Department of Justice under President Donald Trump has published a mere 2% of the total files related to Jeffrey Epstein, despite naming hundreds of high-profile individuals, including Elvis Presley and Marilyn Monroe. This revelation comes from a report by Channel 4 News, a UK broadcaster, which reviewed internal emails detailing the scope of the data.
Massive Data Volumes Remain Unpublished
Internal communications indicate that federal investigators initially anticipated processing between 20 and 40 terabytes of data seized from Epstein's properties. In 2020, estimates suggested the files could total up to 50 terabytes, while by 2025, officials revised this figure to approximately 14.6 terabytes of archived data. So far, only 3.5 million files, amounting to over 300 gigabytes, have been released. This represents just 2% of the data discussed by investigators as recently as last year.
A spokesperson for the Department of Justice has not yet responded to requests for comment from The Independent regarding these findings.
Transparency Act and Ongoing Releases
The report emerges months after the Epstein Files Transparency Act was signed into law, mandating that Attorney General Pam Bondi publish all departmental files on Epstein. Epstein died in 2019 while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges. Since the act's passage, the DOJ has released several large batches of data, including emails, photos, and videos, many of which are heavily redacted. The latest release occurred weeks after the December 19 deadline for full disclosure.
In early January, Bondi stated that only about 1% of the total files had been released, with her staff working overtime to review and publish materials. This figure has since been updated to 2% in the Channel 4 News report.
Congressional Letter and High-Profile Names
Over the weekend, the DOJ sent a six-page letter to Congress to comply with the Transparency Act, listing politicians, businesspeople, and celebrities mentioned at least once in the files. Notable names include President Donald Trump, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, and Bill Gates, alongside seemingly unrelated figures like Elvis Presley and Marilyn Monroe, who died in 1977 and 1962, respectively. The list does not clarify how these individuals are connected to Epstein, and being mentioned is not an indication of criminal activity.
In the letter, Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche asserted that the department had released all records in its possession related to Epstein, signaling this would be the final disclosure.
Lawmaker Criticism and Accusations
Several lawmakers have criticized the DOJ's approach, accusing the Trump administration of intentionally including irrelevant information to obscure the facts. Representative Ro Khanna, a California Democrat, commented on social media, stating, "The DOJ is once again purposefully muddying the waters on who was a predator and who was mentioned in an email." He highlighted the absurdity of listing Janis Joplin, who died when Epstein was 17, alongside Larry Nassar, convicted for sexual abuse, without context.
Additionally, last week, the DOJ began allowing members of Congress to view less-redacted versions of the files. Upon review, some lawmakers, including Representative Thomas Massie, a Kentucky Republican, claimed the department had improperly redacted crucial information, further fueling concerns about transparency and accountability in the handling of the Epstein case.
