Last month, the U.S. Congress passed the Epstein Files Transparency Act, which was subsequently signed into law by President Donald Trump.
The act mandates that the Department of Justice (DOJ) publish all unclassified information it has on the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein by Friday, December 19. That’s today.
Here is what to know about what will likely be included in the trove of documents, as well as where and when you can view them.
What documents will be included in the disclosure?
When Congress passed the Epstein Files Transparency Act, it mandated that the DOJ must publish its unclassified material on Jeffrey Epstein. But what exact material will be included in the disclosure?
The act was pretty specific. According to the November law, the DOJ must publish all unclassified:
- records
- documents
- communications
- investigative materials
One can presume that this includes digital evidence such as emails and photos, as well as documents and communications the DOJ created in relation to the investigation and prosecution of Epstein.
However, the Epstein Files Transparency Act further clarifies that the release applies to more than just files related to investigations, prosecutions, or custodial matters regarding Epstein.
The law states that the following must also be released by the DOJ:
- materials that relate to Ghislaine Maxwell
- flight logs and travel records
- individuals named or referenced (including government officials) in connection with the investigation and prosecution of Jeffrey Epstein
- Entities, including corporations and governmental, with known or allged ties to Epstein’s financial or trafficking networks
- immunity or other deals with Epstein or his associates
- Files related to his detention and death
- Files held by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices must also be released.
Can the DOJ withhold any information?
Yes, the DOJ can withhold information from the release of files under a few circumstances, including:
- If the files or information are classified
- If the information contains personal information about Epstein’s victims
- If the information, if released, would jeopardize an active federal investigation
However, the law specifically states that no information can be withheld solely because that information would cause “embarrassment, reputational harm, or political sensitivity, including to any government official, public figure, or foreign dignitary.”
When will the DOJ release the Epstein files?
The law states that the DOJ must release the Epstein files “in a searchable and downloadable format” no later than 30 days after the Epstein Files Transparency Act was enacted.
The Epstein Files Transparency Act was enacted on November 19, 2025. That means that the DOJ has until 11:59 p.m. tonight to release the files.
Where will the files be released?
The Epstein Files Transparency Act doesn’t explicitly state where or how the Department of Justice must release the files beyond saying that the files must be “in a searchable and downloadable format.”
That clause means the DOJ must release the files digitally (since they must be downloadable). However, the law does not state which website must host the files.
However, it is very likely that the files will be hosted on the Department of Justice’s website (justice.gov) or the Justice Department will specify via a press release on its website where the files will be hosted.
It’s possible that the DOJ could set up a dedicated website where the files will be available to search and download.
We’ll update this story with the link once it becomes available.