The Department of Justice (DOJ) has initiated a massive release of records related to the late financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, sparking a firestorm on Capitol Hill and across the globe. As of February 17, 2026, the fallout from these disclosures has led to high-profile resignations, intense congressional scrutiny, and a public scramble to decode millions of pages of evidence.
Breaking: DOJ Releases 3 Million Files Amid Transparency Push
Last week, the Justice Department released over 3 million files related to its decade-long investigations into Epstein’s sex-trafficking ring. Attorney General Pam Bondi informed Congress that the agency has now fulfilled the requirements of the Epstein Files Transparency Act, though the move has been met with significant bipartisan backlash over remaining redactions.
On Saturday, February 14, the DOJ sent a formal letter to Congress listing “politically exposed persons” found within the documents. This list includes hundreds of prominent figures from the worlds of politics, business, and entertainment. Notable names appearing in the records—ranging from emails to flight logs—include Elon Musk, Bill Gates, Howard Lutnick, and Steve Tisch. While the presence of a name in the files does not necessarily imply criminal wrongdoing, the sheer volume of data has provided new insights into Epstein’s vast social and professional network.
Key Facts About the Epstein File Disclosures
- Massive Data Volume: The release consists of approximately 3.5 million pages across 12 distinct datasets, covering investigations from the late 1990s through Epstein’s death in 2019.
- Congressional Surveillance Scandal: Attorney General Bondi faced criticism after it was revealed the DOJ was tracking the specific search queries made by lawmakers, such as Rep. Pramila Jayapal, as they perused unredacted versions of the files.
- The “300 Names” Controversy: Despite claims of a “full release,” a specific list of 300 names remains a point of contention, with lawmakers like Rep. Ro Khanna and Rep. Thomas Massie demanding an end to “protecting predators” through redactions.
- Public Research Efforts: Independent researchers and data scientists have developed open-source tools to map the 1.4 million documents currently available to the public, identifying over 2,700 unique connections and 1,708 flights.
Political Fallout and Resignations
The release has already triggered a wave of investigations and resignations within the private sector and political spheres. As the New York Times and other major outlets dig into the “complex reporting project,” the documents have shed light on how Epstein managed to avoid federal prosecution for years despite early warnings to the FBI as far back as 1996.
House Speaker Mike Johnson and other top Democrats have called for accountability regarding the DOJ’s “surveillance” of members of Congress during their research into the files. Lawmakers are currently pressing for access to the remaining fully unredacted documents to ensure no individuals involved in Epstein’s crimes are shielded from public view.
What Happens Next?
While the DOJ maintains that the bulk of the relevant material has been made public, the debate over the “2% of data” theory—suggesting the most sensitive information remains hidden—continues to circulate in legal and digital circles. Congressional hearings are expected to continue through the end of February as representatives push for a final, unedited accounting of the Epstein archives.