WASHINGTON, Jan. 2026 — A federal judge in Manhattan has directed the Justice Department under President Donald J. Trump to respond by Friday to a bipartisan congressional request for the appointment of a special master to oversee the release of files related to the late financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
U.S. District Judge Paul Engelmayer issued the order on Tuesday, Jan. 13, in response to a motion from Representatives Ro Khanna (D-Calif.) and Thomas Massie (R-Ky.), who co-sponsored the Epstein Files Transparency Act. The law, passed overwhelmingly by Congress and signed by Mr. Trump in November 2025, mandated that the DOJ release all Epstein-related materials by Dec. 19, 2025, with limited exceptions to protect victim identities.
The department has released only about 12,285 documents — totaling roughly 125,575 pages, or less than 1 percent of the estimated holdings — while acknowledging that more than 2 million additional documents remain under review. In court filings, DOJ officials, including U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton in Manhattan and Attorney General Pam Bondi, have cited the volume of material, the need for redactions to safeguard victims, and internal quality control as reasons for the delay.
Khanna and Massie, in a letter to the court dated Jan. 8, expressed “urgent and grave concerns” about the DOJ’s compliance, accusing the department of violating both the statute and prior judicial orders. They argued that self-reported figures on the scope of records appeared inconsistent and that the DOJ could not be trusted to handle mandatory disclosures without independent oversight. The lawmakers urged Judge Engelmayer — who previously oversaw the criminal case against Epstein associate Ghislaine Maxwell — to appoint a special master or independent monitor to ensure full, timely release.
The judge’s Tuesday order requires the government to address the lawmakers’ intervention request and opine on his authority to rule on compliance issues. The DOJ has indicated it will oppose the special master proposal, while Maxwell’s legal team has taken no position.
The slow pace of disclosures has fueled widespread criticism and speculation, with some observers questioning whether sensitive information involving high-profile figures is being withheld. President Trump campaigned on promises of transparency in the Epstein matter but has faced scrutiny over the administration’s handling since taking office. The released documents so far include heavily redacted pages and some previously public materials, with no major new revelations emerging.
Separately, the House Oversight Committee, chaired by Representative James Comer (R-Ky.), has pursued its own investigation into Epstein, issuing subpoenas to figures including former President Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. Both Clintons declined to appear for depositions this week, prompting Comer to announce contempt proceedings. The Clintons’ attorneys described the subpoenas as invalid and politically motivated, arguing the focus should remain on government failures in prosecuting Epstein rather than partisan inquiries.
The Epstein case continues to generate intense public interest and political friction, with survivors’ advocates emphasizing the need for accountability and victim protections. Judge Engelmayer’s order keeps pressure on the DOJ to accelerate its review, though full compliance could take weeks or months given the scale of the records.
This account draws from court filings, congressional statements and reports from major news organizations as of Jan. 14, 2026. The matter remains active in federal court, with further briefing expected soon.
