Analysts chide DOJ for delaying Epstein files release: 'Dog ate my homework'

The Department of Justice dropped an announcement on Christmas Eve that the full disclosure of the Jeffrey Epstein sex trafficking case files, which was supposed to have concluded by now under a law passed by Congress, will instead take weeks more.

"The US Attorney for the Southern District of New York and the FBI have informed the Department of Justice that they have uncovered over a million more documents potentially related to the Jeffrey Epstein case," stated the official X account for the agency. "The DOJ has received these documents from SDNY and the FBI to review them for release, in compliance with the Epstein Files Transparency Act, existing statutes, and judicial orders. We have lawyers working around the clock to review and make the legally required redactions to protect victims, and we will release the documents as soon as possible."

"Due to the mass volume of material, this process may take a few more weeks," the announcement continued. "The Department will continue to fully comply with federal law and President Trump’s direction to release the files."

This news did not go over well on social media, with many commenters pointing out they already had these documents in their possession, and the reasoning for the delay doesn't add up.

"This has a dog ate my homework quality," wrote foreign policy analyst Laura Rozen.

"@RepThomasMassie & I will continue to keep the pressure on," wrote Rep. Ro Khanna (D-CA), one of the principal authors of the legislation compelling the Epstein files release. "After we said we are bringing contempt, the DOJ is now finding millions more documents to release. They need to release the 302 FBI statements & the emails on Epstein's computer. The Epstein class must go."

"This sounds like nothing new, except it’s delay by dilution," wrote investment banker Evaristus Odinikaeze. "Conveniently dumping 'a million more documents' at the 15th hour muddies the waters and invites conspiracy and contempt for the public, not clarity. Release everything already in your possession before today, then process 'additions' transparently on a clear timeline. Sunlight delayed is trust denied."

"They somehow missed a million documents. That’s 1,000,000+ documents that they somehow were unaware of. Sure," wrote Army veteran, podcaster, and Democratic congressional candidate Fred Wellman.

"So crazy that they say they need a few more weeks just before everyone goes home for the holidays," wrote Business Insider legal correspondent Jacob Shamsian.