DOJ Defends Pace of Epstein Document Release, Citing Victim Protection as Priority

The U.S. Department of Justice has defended its initial release of documents related to the sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, stating that its lawyers are still meticulously reviewing the materials to ensure victims are protected. The statement comes amid public pressure for a swifter and more comprehensive disclosure of the files.

According to the department, the review process is a deliberate effort to balance the public's right to know with the critical need to safeguard the identities and sensitive information of Epstein's victims. Officials emphasized that this legal scrubbing is essential to prevent re-traumatization and uphold their ethical obligations.

The DOJ's defense highlights the inherent tension between demands for total transparency and the careful, often slow, pace of the legal system. While victim advocacy groups and the public call for accountability for all involved, the department insists its primary duty is to prevent further harm to those already victimized.

"Our primary objective is to pursue justice while ensuring the survivors of these horrific crimes are not victimized again by a careless release of information," a Justice Department spokesperson said. "We are committed to transparency, and more documents will be released once the necessary legal reviews are complete."

The department's position frames the timeline not as a delay, but as a necessary component of responsible governance. As the legal team continues its review, the world watches to see what further truths the remaining Epstein documents will reveal, and how the justice system navigates this complex and sensitive case.