The U.S. Department of Justice has announced that members of Congress will be allowed to review unredacted versions of government documents related to Jeffrey Epstein starting Monday, Feb. 9, 2026. The decision follows criticism from lawmakers who said previously released files were too heavily redacted and did not provide full transparency.
According to the Justice Department, the review will include millions of pages of documents that were earlier made public in redacted form under the Epstein Files Transparency Act, a law passed in late 2025 to ensure the disclosure of unclassified records linked to Epstein’s criminal cases and related investigations.
Lawmakers will be required to give 24 hours’ notice before accessing the files. They will be permitted to view the documents only on secure DOJ computers and will not be allowed to bring staff members, electronic devices, or copy the material. They may take handwritten notes during their review.
The move comes after controversy surrounding the handling of the files. In recent weeks, the DOJ temporarily removed around 9,500 documents from its website after concerns were raised that some releases exposed identifying information of victims. Officials said the files were taken down for review and would be reposted after additional privacy protections were applied.
Lawmakers and transparency advocates say access to unredacted records is necessary to determine whether the government has fully complied with disclosure requirements. The DOJ, meanwhile, maintains that privacy laws and legal protections limit what can be released publicly.
The congressional review is expected to increase pressure on the Justice Department to clarify whether all relevant documents have been disclosed and whether further material remains withheld. The issue continues to draw national attention as debates over transparency, accountability, and victim protection intensify.