Congress Gains First Access to Unredacted Jeffrey Epstein Files
Starting today, Monday, February 9, 2026, members of Congress are officially permitted to view millions of uncensored records related to Jeffrey Epstein.
This move comes after months of pressure from lawmakers who accused the Department of Justice (DOJ) of hiding key details behind heavy redactions.
The review is taking place in a secure reading room at the DOJ headquarters in Washington, D.C.
While over three million pages have been released to the public, many were "blacked out" to protect what the government called "political sensitivity" or "reputational harm."
Lawmakers now have the chance to see what lies beneath those black bars.
This access is specifically intended to help Congress determine if the Trump administration is following the Epstein Transparency Act.
Strict Rules for the Secret Review
The Department of Justice has set very specific ground rules for any Senator or Representative who wishes to see the files.
These protocols are designed to ensure that sensitive information does not leak to the public prematurely.
Lawmakers must provide the DOJ with at least 24 hours' notice before their visit.
Once inside, they are strictly prohibited from bringing in cell phones, cameras, or any other electronic devices.
Perhaps most notably, members of Congress must conduct the review themselves. No staff members or legal aides are allowed in the room, meaning the politicians must do all the reading and note-taking personally.
The DOJ is also keeping a meticulous log of exactly who views the files and for how long. The reading room is open from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.
Bipartisan Leaders Head to the DOJ
Representatives Ro Khanna and Thomas Massie, the two primary authors of the transparency law, are expected to be among the first to enter the room at 3:00 p.m. today.
They have been vocal critics of the "sloppy redactions" seen in previous releases.
Massie and Khanna have recently called for a "Special Master" to oversee the process.
They argue that the DOJ cannot be trusted to self-regulate what information is hidden from the American people.
Following their review this afternoon, the pair is scheduled to hold a joint press conference at 5:00 p.m.
This briefing will likely provide the first insights into whether the unredacted files contain the long-rumored "client list" of Epstein’s associates.
A Major Week for the Investigation
This document review is just the beginning of a massive week for the Epstein probe on Capitol Hill.
While lawmakers read in the DOJ basement, other high-profile events are unfolding.
- Ghislaine Maxwell: Epstein’s convicted co-conspirator is scheduled to testify virtually today before the House Oversight Committee. She is appearing via video link from a federal prison in Texas but is expected to invoke her Fifth Amendment rights.
- Pam Bondi: Attorney General Pam Bondi is scheduled to give highly anticipated testimony to the House Judiciary Committee this Wednesday. She is expected to face intense questioning regarding the DOJ’s handling of the file release and the redaction process.
The outcome of this week could determine whether further criminal prosecutions are pursued against those who enabled Epstein’s network for decades.