Hold onto your hats, folks—the Justice Department just dropped a bombshell about the Jeffrey Epstein case that’s got everyone from Capitol Hill to Main Street buzzing with frustration.

The agency announced a delay in releasing all records tied to the late sex offender, missing a congressionally mandated deadline due to the sudden discovery of over a million new documents, sparking outrage among lawmakers, victims, and the public who crave full transparency, as Newsmax reports.

Back in March, Attorney General Pam Bondi was on the case, pushing hard for the truth to come out after learning from a confidential source that the FBI in New York had stacks of Epstein-related papers.

Uncovering a Mountain of Hidden Evidence

Fast forward to July, and the Justice Department, along with the FBI, issued a memo claiming they’d done a thorough review and saw no need to release more evidence—a stark contrast to earlier promises of openness under the previous Trump administration.

That memo conveniently forgot to mention any undiscovered files, which makes the recent find of over a million records by federal prosecutors in Manhattan and the FBI all the more eyebrow-raising.

Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche noted last week that prosecutors already had over 3.6 million records from investigations into Epstein and his associate Ghislaine Maxwell, though some were repeats of previously released FBI files.

Christmas Eve Surprise Sparks Outrage

Then, on Christmas Eve, the Justice Department broke the news of the massive document haul via social media, admitting they’d need a few more weeks to review and redact sensitive information as required by the recently passed Epstein Files Transparency Act.

They claim their lawyers are burning the midnight oil to protect victims’ identities, but critics aren’t buying the excuse for missing last Friday’s deadline.

Rep. Thomas Massie, a Republican from Kentucky and co-sponsor of the transparency law, took to social media with a sharp jab, stating, “DOJ did break the law by making illegal redactions and by missing the deadline.”

Lawmakers Demand Accountability Now

Massie’s not alone—Rep. Ro Khanna, a Democrat from California, echoed the frustration, vowing to keep the pressure on until every last file sees the light of day.

Meanwhile, twelve senators, including both Democrats and a lone Republican, Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, penned a letter to the Justice Department’s watchdog demanding an independent audit, asserting that victims “deserve full disclosure” and the “peace of mind” of knowing the process is fair.

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer didn’t mince words either, calling the timing of the announcement a deliberate attempt to bury bad news and suggesting a cover-up at the highest levels.

What’s in the Released Files?

Over the past few days, the Department has trickled out some records, including grand jury transcripts of FBI interviews with Epstein’s victims and emails hinting at connections to high-profile figures like Britain’s former Prince Andrew.

Yet, much of what’s been released so far is either already public or heavily blacked out, fueling accusations of stonewalling when Americans are hungry for the unvarnished truth about who enabled Epstein’s crimes.

While the White House defends the Department’s efforts, praising President Trump’s Cabinet for their handling of the situation, the staggered releases and ongoing delays leave many wondering if justice will ever be fully served in this sordid saga.