Epstein Files Transparency Act: The Law, the Release & the Fallout
A source-verified guide to the Epstein Files Transparency Act — how it passed, what was released, the DOJ Library, congressional hearings, and the political fallout across the US and Europe.
The Law
The Epstein Files Transparency Act (H.R. 4405) was passed unanimously by both chambers of Congress in November 2025 and signed into law by President Trump on November 20, 2025. According to Congress.gov:
- The law was modeled on the JFK Assassination Records Collection Act of 1992
- It requires the DOJ to identify, collect, and publicly release all federal records related to the Epstein investigation
- The Act establishes phased disclosure timelines and narrow standards for redactions
- It created the legal basis for the DOJ Epstein Library
The Release
On January 30, 2026, the DOJ published the first major tranche of documents:
| Category | Amount |
|---|---|
| Pages | ~3.5 million |
| Videos | ~2,000 |
| Images | ~180,000 |
| Total responsive pages identified | ~6 million |
The DOJ released roughly half of the identified responsive pages. The remainder was withheld under the Act's redaction provisions or is pending review.
The DOJ Epstein Library
The released materials are accessible through the DOJ's public portal at justice.gov/epstein. The library contains:
- FBI investigation files and interview transcripts
- Communications and correspondence
- Financial records and transaction data
- Photographs and video evidence
- Agency memoranda and internal communications
Congressional Oversight
AG Bondi Testimony (February 5, 2026)
Attorney General Pam Bondi testified for five hours before the House Judiciary Committee:
- She described the 2007 NPA as a "profound failure"
- She confirmed six names were wrongly redacted and ordered their restoration
- She revealed the DOJ compiled a "politically exposed persons" list for Congress
- She was accused of monitoring which documents lawmakers accessed in a secure reading room
The Redaction Controversy
- Victims' advocates argued redactions protect perpetrators rather than victims
- Congressional members reported frustration with the scope of remaining redactions
- The DOJ maintained redactions are necessary for victim protection and ongoing investigations
Political Fallout
The release triggered political consequences across multiple countries:
United States
- AG Bondi faced bipartisan scrutiny over redaction decisions
- The "politically exposed persons" list remains classified
- Congressional hearings continue
Europe
- UK: Prince Andrew arrested for misconduct in public office
- Norway: Former PM Thorbjorn Jagland charged
- Slovakia: Diplomat Miroslav Lajcak resigned
- UK: Peter Mandelson resigned from Labour and House of Lords
- France, Turkey, and Lithuania opened investigations
What Comes Next
The Transparency Act establishes ongoing obligations:
- The DOJ must continue releasing responsive documents on a phased schedule
- Congressional committees retain oversight authority
- The Act does not prevent additional prosecutions based on released materials
- The "politically exposed persons" list may be partially declassified
Primary Sources
- Congress.gov, H.R. 4405 — congress.gov
- DOJ release announcement — justice.gov
- CBS News, Bondi hearing — cbsnews.com
- Associated Press, Transparency Act — apnews.com
Read our Transparency Act explainer or how to search the DOJ Library. Explore the case timeline or browse the document library.
Sources
- [1]Congress.gov: H.R.4405 — Epstein Files Transparency Act https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/4405 (accessed 2026-02-20)
- [2]DOJ: Department of Justice Publishes 3.5 Million Responsive Pages https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/department-justice-publishes-... (accessed 2026-02-20)
- [3]CBS News: Pam Bondi hearing on Epstein files https://www.cbsnews.com/live-updates/pam-bondi-hearing-epste... (accessed 2026-02-20)
- [4]Associated Press, Transparency Act reporting https://apnews.com/ (accessed 2026-02-20)
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the Epstein Files Transparency Act?
- The Epstein Files Transparency Act (H.R. 4405) is a federal law passed unanimously by Congress in November 2025 requiring the DOJ to collect and publicly release government records related to Jeffrey Epstein. It was modeled on the JFK Assassination Records Collection Act.
- How many pages were released under the Transparency Act?
- The DOJ released approximately 3.5 million pages through its Epstein Library on January 30, 2026, along with 2,000 videos and 180,000 images. The DOJ identified approximately 6 million responsive pages total.
- Where can I search the Epstein files?
- The DOJ Epstein Library is available at justice.gov/epstein. It contains the documents, videos, and images released under the Transparency Act. The files can be searched and browsed through the DOJ's public portal.
- Why were some names redacted from the Epstein files?
- The Transparency Act allows narrow redactions to protect victim identities, ongoing investigations, national security, and witness safety. AG Bondi acknowledged six names were 'wrongly redacted' and ordered their restoration. Critics argue the redactions remain too broad.