The Trump administration has ignited a rare firestorm of bipartisan criticism for its failure to meet a legal deadline to release thousands of documents related to the late financier and convicted sex offender, Jeffrey Epstein.
Deadline Missed as Release Stalls
On Friday, 19 December 2025, the US Justice Department began disclosing a trove of records connected to the Epstein case. However, it fell short of the mandate set by the Epstein Files Transparency Act, which required all unclassified documents to be made public by that date.
Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche acknowledged the delay, stating that while a significant number of documents were released, the full disclosure would require an additional 'couple of weeks'. This admission immediately drew condemnation from across the political aisle.
Lawmakers Accuse Administration of Violating Law
Prominent figures from both major parties united in their outrage. Democratic Senator Adam Schiff and Republican Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene, often political adversaries, found common ground in lambasting the administration's handling of the process.
They accused officials of 'moving the goalpost' and, more seriously, of violating federal law by not complying with the congressional act. Their criticism underscores the intense scrutiny and public demand for transparency surrounding the Epstein network.
White House Defends Its Record
Facing the backlash, a spokesperson for the administration mounted a defence. They asserted that the administration's approach to the Epstein case has been 'the most transparent in history', a claim that did little to placate furious lawmakers demanding immediate and complete compliance with the statute.
The unfolding situation presents a significant challenge for the White House, uniting opponents in a cause that resonates with public demands for accountability and openness regarding one of the most notorious criminal cases in recent memory.
