DOJ Quietly Deletes 47,000 Epstein Files After Promising Full Transparency

Justice Department officials quietly removed tens of thousands of Jeffrey Epstein case files from a public database, raising new questions about the federal government’s handling of one of the most scrutinized document releases in recent years.

Links to thousands of records that were previously accessible on the Department of Justice website now return “page not found” errors. According to a CBS News analysis, more than 47,000 files totaling roughly 65,500 pages had been taken offline by late February as the department reviewed the materials.

After removing tens of thousands of files, the Department of Justice currently makes public about 2.7 million pages of documents related to Jeffrey Epstein, the analysis found, a number below the Department’s initial claim of 3 million, and a total that continues to fluctuate.

The Justice Department originally said the disclosure included more than 3 million pages tied to Epstein. When combined with records that had already been released through other channels, officials said the full collection would reach about 3.5 million pages.

The files were published after Congress passed a law requiring the government to release nearly all records connected to Epstein’s sex trafficking investigation and related cases.

Some of the documents removed from the public archive contained highly sensitive information. One file reportedly included unredacted photos of 21 survivors along with most of their birthdates. Other files that disappeared appear less obviously tied to privacy concerns, including a call log with every name redacted and photographs of Epstein’s jail bunk where investigators say he hanged himself.

Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche said the department reviewed about 6 million pages during the disclosure process. Based on that figure, the material initially released represents less than half of the documents examined by federal officials.

Blanche said some records were withheld to protect survivors and avoid compromising ongoing investigations. However, lawmakers who have reviewed the unredacted archive have criticized the redactions, arguing that certain edits appear to shield powerful individuals rather than victims.

Justice Department spokesperson Natalie Baldassarre disputed the suggestion that files had been deleted.

“CBS’s analysis appears to be fundamentally flawed,” Baldassarre said, adding that the department has “not deleted any files from the library.”

Still, she confirmed that thousands of documents remain offline while officials conduct additional reviews.

“Our team is working around the clock to address victim concerns, redact personally identifiable information and any images of a sexual nature,” Baldassarre wrote. “All responsive documents will be repopulated online once proper redactions are made.”

Even with millions of pages now public, the Epstein archive remains difficult to navigate. The largest batch of files was released Jan. 30 in a massive upload that lacked clear organization and included duplicate records, making it challenging for journalists and investigators to fully examine the material.