Epstein Files Archive
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DOJ Epstein Library: Public Release Index

The Department of Justice's public portal containing 3.5 million pages of documents, 2,000 videos, and 180,000 images released under the Epstein Files Transparency Act.

U.S. Department of Justice
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Overview of the DOJ Epstein Library

On January 30, 2026, the United States Department of Justice launched the Epstein Library, a publicly accessible online portal at justice.gov/epstein containing the largest collection of Epstein-related government records ever released. Created in compliance with the Epstein Files Transparency Act (H.R. 4405), the library contains approximately 3.5 million pages of documents, 2,000 videos, and 180,000 images from the federal investigation of Jeffrey Epstein and his associates.

The launch of the Epstein Library represents a watershed moment in the Epstein case, providing researchers, journalists, victims' advocates, and the general public with unprecedented access to materials from one of the most closely watched criminal investigations in modern history.

What the Library Contains

The Epstein Library organizes released materials into several broad categories:

FBI Investigation Files

Records from the FBI's multi-decade investigation of Epstein, spanning from the initial Palm Beach referral in 2006 through the post-death investigations. These include FD-302 interview reports, evidence inventories, surveillance records, and inter-office communications.

DOJ Prosecution Records

Internal Department of Justice documents related to all phases of the Epstein prosecution, including the 2007 Non-Prosecution Agreement negotiations, the 2019 SDNY indictment, and the 2020-2022 Maxwell prosecution. This category includes case memoranda, email correspondence, witness lists, and strategic planning documents.

Bureau of Prisons Records

Administrative and operational records from Epstein's detention at the Metropolitan Correctional Center in Manhattan, including the period leading up to his death on August 10, 2019. Visitor logs, incident reports, and institutional communications are among the materials released, though medical records are substantially redacted.

Financial Investigation Records

Banking documents, wire transfer records, and forensic financial analyses tracking the flow of money through Epstein's network of corporate entities, personal accounts, and offshore structures. These records document transactions with major financial institutions including JPMorgan Chase, Deutsche Bank, and others.

Communications and Correspondence

Emails, letters, and other communications seized during law enforcement searches of Epstein's properties or obtained through legal process. This is the most voluminous category and the one generating the greatest public and media interest, as it documents Epstein's extensive contacts with political, business, cultural, and scientific figures.

Multimedia Materials

The library includes 2,000 videos and 180,000 images from the investigation, though significant redactions have been applied to protect victim identities and ongoing investigative interests.

Scale and Completeness

What Was Released

The DOJ's own accounting identifies the release as including approximately 3.5 million pages of responsive materials. The materials span multiple decades of federal government activity related to Epstein, from the earliest FBI contacts through the most recent prosecutorial decisions.

What Remains Withheld

The DOJ identified approximately 6 million total responsive pages across the federal government. The release of 3.5 million pages means that roughly 2.5 million additional pages have been withheld, either under the Transparency Act's redaction provisions or because they remain under review.

The withheld materials have been a source of significant controversy, with lawmakers and advocates questioning whether the DOJ has applied the Act's narrow redaction standards appropriately.

Access

The library is freely accessible at justice.gov/epstein. No registration or payment is required. Documents can be viewed online and downloaded in standard formats.

Search Functionality

The portal provides search capabilities allowing users to find documents by keyword, date range, document type, and other criteria. For detailed guidance on effective search strategies, see our guide: How to Search the DOJ Epstein Library.

Important Caveats for Researchers

Researchers working with the Epstein Library should be aware of several important limitations:

Redactions remain extensive. Despite the Transparency Act's narrow redaction standards, many documents contain significant blacked-out sections. These redactions may obscure names, dates, financial figures, or other details that could alter the meaning of visible text.

Context matters. Any individual document should be understood within the broader body of evidence. A name appearing in the files does not imply wrongdoing or awareness of criminal activity. The files contain records of Epstein's extensive social, business, and personal network.

The analysis is ongoing. With 3.5 million pages, comprehensive analysis will take months or years. Conclusions drawn from partial review should be treated as preliminary.

Controversies Surrounding the Release

The "Politically Exposed Persons" List

Alongside the public release, the DOJ provided Congress with a separate list of "politically exposed persons" — individuals holding prominent public positions — who appear in the files. This list has generated enormous public interest. According to reporting, it includes current and former presidents, cabinet members, business leaders, and international figures.

Wrongful Redactions

Representatives Ro Khanna and Thomas Massie, who reviewed unredacted versions of the files, identified six names they believe were wrongly redacted. They have pressed the DOJ to explain the redaction decisions and release the withheld names.

Accidental Victim Image Disclosure

The DOJ faced criticism for inadvertently including unredacted images of possible minors in the release. After notification by the New York Times, the department removed most of the images, but victims' advocates condemned the failure as evidence of inadequate review procedures. Attorneys have stated that identities of 31 child victims were also inadequately protected.

DOJ Monitoring of Congressional Access

Reports that the DOJ monitored which documents lawmakers accessed in a secure reading room sparked outrage, with the House Speaker condemning the practice as an improper intrusion on Congressional oversight powers.

Impact of the Release

The Epstein Library has had immediate and far-reaching consequences:

International political fallout. Documents in the library have triggered resignations, criminal charges, and investigations across at least seven countries in Europe, including the arrest of Prince Andrew in the UK and criminal charges against former Norwegian PM Thorbjorn Jagland.

Congressional hearings. The released materials have fueled intensive Congressional scrutiny, including AG Bondi's 5-hour testimony, Les Wexner's deposition, and Ghislaine Maxwell's invocation of the Fifth Amendment before the House Oversight Committee.

Public engagement. Epstein-related internet searches increased by 1,900 percent following the release. The Netflix documentary "Filthy Rich" re-entered the global Top 10 in over 80 countries.

Ongoing investigation. Law enforcement agencies in multiple countries have opened new investigations based on information contained in the released files.

Sources and Further Reading