The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has announced that members of Congress will be able to review unredacted versions of files related to Jeffrey Epstein beginning on February 9, 2026. This decision comes in response to significant bipartisan scrutiny over the extensive redactions made in previous releases of the documents.

According to a letter obtained from the DOJ, lawmakers will be able to view the files on computers within the Justice Department building in Washington, D.C. They must provide at least 24 hours' notice prior to their visit. Although members can take notes during the review, they are prohibited from bringing in electronic devices or physical copies of the documents.

Criticism of the DOJ has mounted among lawmakers, particularly from Democrats on the House Judiciary Committee, who argue that the DOJ has not complied with transparency requirements established by the Epstein Files Transparency Act. The act mandates that materials be withheld only under narrow conditions, such as protecting the personal information of victims, rather than concerns about reputational harm to individuals involved.

Reps. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) and Ro Khanna (D-Calif.), who co-authored the law enabling this transparency initiative, have been vocal in their demands for the unredacted files, emphasizing the importance of accountability in light of Epstein's well-documented abuses. The DOJ's decision to allow lawmakers access appears to be seen as a victory for Congress in its quest for transparency.

Epstein, a convicted sex offender, was charged with sex trafficking in 2019 but died in jail under controversial circumstances before facing trial. The ongoing investigations and extensive documentation related to his case include details about multiple high-profile associates, leading to significant public interest and concern over potential cover-ups in the handling of the files.

The upcoming review by Congress underscores the continuous pursuit of accountability and transparency in dealing with Epstein's extensive network and the systemic failures that allowed his abuse to persist for years.