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WASHINGTON - The U.S. Department of Justice is set to release new Jeffrey Epstein-related files on Thursday, with Attorney General Pam Bondi confirming they will include flight logs, names, and "a lot of information."
Bondi told Fox News on Wednesday that the disclosures "will make you sick" and that officials are finalizing redactions to protect victims' identities.
Here’s the latest:
‘Phase 1’ of declassified Epstein files released
7:08 p.m. ET: The Justice Department, in collaboration with the FBI, has released the first phase of declassified Jeffrey Epstein files, shedding light on his extensive network and crimes against over 250 underage victims.
Attorney General Pam Bondi emphasized that this is just the beginning, with thousands of additional pages still undisclosed.
"These files begin to provide the public with long overdue accountability," Bondi said, adding that the DOJ is following through on President Trump’s commitment to transparency.
What’s in the released documents
The newly released materials, many of which had previously leaked but were never formally released by the U.S. government, include:
- Flight logs from U.S. v. Ghislaine Maxwell
- An evidence list
- A contact book (redacted)
- A redacted "masseuse list", believed to reference Epstein’s victims
Read the full declassified Epstein files here: DOJ Release – ‘Phase 1’ Documents
Epstein files release slammed for redactions, lack of new details
4:34 p.m. ET: A New York Post review of the released Epstein files published earlier on Thursday found heavy redactions and little new information. While the binders were labeled "declassified," it’s unclear if they were ever classified.
The limited release sparked criticism from Rep. Anna Paulina Luna (R-FL), who leads a House GOP transparency task force.
"I nor the task force were given or reviewed the Epstein documents being released today … A NY Post story just revealed that the documents will simply be Epstein’s phonebook," Luna tweeted. "THIS IS NOT WHAT WE OR THE AMERICAN PEOPLE ASKED FOR and a complete disappointment. GET US THE INFORMATION WE ASKED FOR!"
Pam Bondi demands FBI turn over withheld documents
4:00 p.m. ET: Attorney General Pam Bondi sent a scathing letter to FBI Director Kash Patel on Thursday, accusing federal investigators in New York of withholding thousands of pages of Jeffrey Epstein documents she vowed to release.
Bondi said she had previously requested the full Epstein case file but was only given about 200 pages—far fewer than what was released last year in a lawsuit tied to Ghislaine Maxwell.
"Late yesterday, I learned from a source that the FBI Field Office in New York was in possession of thousands of pages related to the investigation and indictment of Epstein," Bondi wrote, demanding the documents be turned over by 8:00 a.m. Friday.
"There will be no withholdings or limitations to my or your access," she added, instructing the FBI to include all records, documents, audio, and video related to Epstein and his clients.
Conservative commentators seen holding binders labeled ‘The Epstein Files’ at White House
1:40 p.m. ET: Conservative commentators were seen at the White House holding binders marked "The Epstein Files" just hours after Attorney General Pam Bondi vowed to release documents tied to Jeffrey Epstein.
The contents of the binders remain unclear, and the documents have not yet been made public. While the covers were stamped "declassified," officials have not confirmed whether the materials inside were ever classified to begin with.
Political commentator Rogan O'Handley, aka DC Draino, and other unidentified people carrying binders bearing the seal of the US Justice Department reading "The Epstein Files: Phase 1" walk out of the West Wing of the White House in Washington, DC, on … (Photo by SAUL LOEB/AFP via Getty Images)
Among those spotted with the binders was political commentator Rogan O’Handley, known online as DC Draino.
The Epstein case: A decades-long web of abuse and secrecy
What we know:
Epstein’s crimes and ties to powerful figures have been widely documented through lawsuits, public disclosures, and Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests. Over the years, courts have released thousands of pages of records, including victim interviews, police reports, and legal filings.
In January 2024, a court unsealed thousands of pages from a lawsuit by Virginia Giuffre, an Epstein victim.
The documents included names of high-profile figures such as Donald Trump, Bill Clinton, Prince Andrew, and magician David Copperfield—though there was no evidence implicating them in crimes.
One victim testified about meeting Michael Jackson at Epstein’s Florida home but stated that nothing inappropriate happened.
Epstein was accused of sexually abusing dozens of underage girls in the early 2000s but served only 13 months in jail after striking a secret plea deal with federal prosecutors in Florida.
In 2019, he was federally indicted in New York on new trafficking charges, more than a decade later. He died by suicide in jail that August while awaiting trial.
READ MORE: Jeffrey Epstein list: 2nd batch of documents unsealed in Ghislaine Maxwell lawsuit
What we don't know:
It remains unclear whether the new DOJ files will contain significant new details or simply confirm what is already known. While officials have released flight logs and names, they have not disclosed whether new high-profile figures are implicated.
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Report: Bondi to release Epstein files this week
Attorney General Pam Bondi is instructing her office to release files related to Jeffrey Epstein, which has been a long goal of Donald Trump supporters in his second term as President.
Additionally, while Trump previously suggested on the campaign trail that he would open Epstein-related government files, it is uncertain how much of that material will ultimately be declassified.
The case continues to draw global attention due to Epstein’s ties to influential figures, as well as lingering questions surrounding his connections, plea deals, and the circumstances of his death.
Anyone who suspects trafficking can call the National Human Trafficking Hotline at (888) 373-7888.
The Source: This report is based on Associated Press reporting and statements from Attorney General Pam Bondi and previous FOX coverage. This story was reported from Los Angeles.