Kathrine Frich
For decades, high-profile investigations have stirred public curiosity, especially when they involve powerful figures and tightly guarded government records.
The latest scrutiny surrounds long-sealed materials related to Jeffrey Epstein — documents that many have waited years to see.
A mandated release
Congress passed the Epstein Files Transparency Act in November with near-unanimous support.
The bill instructs the Justice Department to publish “all unclassified records, documents, communications, and investigative materials” tied to Epstein’s prosecution.
President Donald Trump signed the measure on Nov. 19, triggering a 30-day countdown.
This requires the DOJ to release the files no later than Dec. 19, though the material could appear sooner.
Despite the directive, the department is not obliged to disclose everything it holds.
The law includes several exceptions that allow redactions or full withholding of certain evidence.
What the files might show
Earlier this year, the administration released what Attorney General Pam Bondi described as the “first phase” of Epstein files.
According to PEOPLE, those documents contained few new revelations and excluded anything that could expose witnesses or victims.
The new batch is expected to draw from evidence seized during earlier searches.
An item list reviewed by PEOPLE suggests the DOJ holds cameras, computers, hard drives, recording devices and physical documents such as photos, employee records and travel logs.
One CD was labeled “girl pics nude book 4,” according to the inventory.
Travel logs from boat trips to Little St. James, Epstein’s private island, remain of particular public interest.
Limits on disclosure
Under the transparency act, the DOJ may withhold anything classified, anything that could identify victims, or anything that could jeopardize an active federal investigation.
Trump recently asked Bondi to open an inquiry into several Democrats named in emails released by the House Oversight Committee, including Bill Clinton, Larry Summers and Reid Hoffman.
Some observers told PEOPLE they believe the DOJ could cite that investigation to justify delaying or redacting certain documents.
How many files remain sealed, or how many will ultimately be released, is still unknown.
Sources: PEOPLE Magazine
