Schumer, Lawmakers Blast DOJ Over Partial Epstein Files Release
December 25, 2025 — Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer escalated pressure on the Department of Justice (DOJ) for how it has released documents related to Jeffrey Epstein, accusing the department of ignoring a clear congressional mandate.
Under the Epstein Files Transparency Act, signed by President Trump in November, the DOJ was required to publish all unclassified files related to Epstein by December 19, 2025.
However, the department has not met that deadline. Instead, it issued partial, heavily redacted batches of documents, with more releases promised in coming weeks.
Lawmakers Say Release Falls Short of the Law
Schumer said the DOJ’s staggered and redacted rollout fails to comply with the law’s deadline and intent. He reiterated that full transparency is necessary.In a statement on social media, Schumer accused the DOJ of a “news dump” on Christmas Eve and said the public deserves answers about what remains withheld.
Schumer is now pushing the Senate to authorize legal action that could force the department to complete the release.
Bipartisan Frustration Builds
Schumer’s criticism has bipartisan echoes. Rep. Thomas Massie (R‑Ky.), a co‑author of the law, said the DOJ broke the law by missing the deadline and issuing excessive redactions.Rep. Ro Khanna (D‑Calif.), another co‑author, called for continued pressure and said lawmakers are exploring further actions, including holding DOJ leaders in contempt.
Survivor advocacy groups and some former Epstein victims have publicly condemned the DOJ’s release as inadequate and opaque.
What the DOJ Says
Justice Department officials acknowledge they missed the statutory deadline. They explained that an unexpectedly large volume of documents — including over 1 million newly identified files — requires careful review and redaction before public release.
The DOJ says redactions are necessary to protect victims’ privacy and comply with other laws, and that its legal teams are working to release the remaining materials as quickly as possible.
Redactions and Public Reaction
Reporters and lawmakers have noted that many released records are heavily redacted, including entire pages blacked out or key names obscured.
That level of redaction has fueled further criticism from lawmakers who argue that the point of the transparency law is to let the public see more, not less.
Next Steps
With the deadline passed and more documents pending, lawmakers are weighing options including:
- Legal action to compel full release.
- Contempt proceedings against DOJ officials.
- Continued public pressure from advocacy groups.
As the controversy evolves, each new batch of Epstein files is likely to be examined for both what they reveal and what remains withheld.
