Top Headlines

Feeds

Maxwell’s Lawyers Seek Court Order to Halt Release of 90,000 Epstein Files

Updated (113 articles)
  • None
    None
    Image: AP
    Source Full size
  • Hillary Clinton speaks to the BBC on 16 February 2026 and Donald Trump speaks to members of the media aboard Air Force One while flying from Palm Beach International Airport on February 16, 2026 en route to Washington, DC.
    Hillary Clinton speaks to the BBC on 16 February 2026 and Donald Trump speaks to members of the media aboard Air Force One while flying from Palm Beach International Airport on February 16, 2026 en route to Washington, DC.
    Image: Newsweek
    Hillary Clinton speaks to the BBC on 16 February 2026 and Donald Trump speaks to members of the media aboard Air Force One while flying from Palm Beach International Airport on February 16, 2026 en route to Washington, DC. Source Full size
  • Hillary Clinton speaks to the BBC on 16 February 2026 and Donald Trump speaks to members of the media aboard Air Force One while flying from Palm Beach International Airport on February 16, 2026 en route to Washington, DC.
    Hillary Clinton speaks to the BBC on 16 February 2026 and Donald Trump speaks to members of the media aboard Air Force One while flying from Palm Beach International Airport on February 16, 2026 en route to Washington, DC.
    Image: Newsweek
    Hillary Clinton speaks to the BBC on 16 February 2026 and Donald Trump speaks to members of the media aboard Air Force One while flying from Palm Beach International Airport on February 16, 2026 en route to Washington, DC. Source Full size

DOJ’s Massive Document Release Triggers Legal Pushback The Justice Department has produced over 3.5 million pages of Epstein‑related material under the Epstein Files Transparency Act, a claim confirmed by both the DOJ and congressional staffers [2]. The agency says it has disclosed non‑responsive items while complying with a House Oversight subpoena [2]. Maxwell’s attorneys argue that 90,000 pages from a settled defamation suit were improperly seized during the criminal probe and should remain sealed [1].

Motion Aims to Shield Victims and Sensitive Data On February 21, Maxwell’s lawyers filed a motion in Manhattan federal court to block the release of the 90,000‑page cache, citing privacy concerns for victims whose identities could be exposed [1]. The filing notes that the documents contain more than 30 deposition transcripts and private financial and sexual information [1]. The attorneys also contend that the Epstein Files Transparency Act violates the Constitution’s separation‑of‑powers doctrine by removing judicial authority over sealed records [1].

Political Fallout Intensifies Around Disclosure Hillary Clinton accused the Trump administration of “slow‑walking” the release of Epstein files during a BBC interview on February 18, demanding full public access [2]. President Trump responded from Air Force One, asserting he is “totally exonerated” and has nothing to hide [2]. Congressional leaders, including Rep. Thomas Massie, continue to press for additional internal memos and broader disclosure, while the White House claims it has already released thousands of pages and cooperated with oversight [2].

Prince Andrew Allegations and Maxwell’s Prison Transfer Resurface Virginia Giuffre’s accusations that Epstein trafficked her to Prince Andrew reappeared in the recent filings, reminding the public of the settled 2022 lawsuit and Andrew’s denial [1]. Ghislaine Maxwell, convicted in December 2021, was transferred from a Florida federal prison to a low‑security Texas camp last summer and recently refused to answer House Oversight Committee questions, though she indicated willingness to speak if granted clemency [1].

Sources

Related Tickers

by TradingView

Videos (1)

Timeline

2001 – A Balmoral‑to‑Maxwell email asks “Have you found me some new inappropriate friends?” highlighting early interest in Epstein’s network [3].

Mar 2005 – Police open a criminal investigation after a 14‑year‑old reports abuse, marking the start of the modern Epstein case [24].

Jul 2006 – Epstein is arrested on a solicitation charge, prompting public criticism of the prosecutor handling the case [24].

2008 – Epstein pleads guilty to state charges in a secret deal that shields him from federal prosecution [24].

2021 – Ghislaine Maxwell is convicted of recruiting under‑age girls for Epstein [28].

2022 – Maxwell receives a 20‑year prison sentence for her role in the sex‑trafficking scheme [28].

Nov 19 2025 – President Trump signs the bipartisan Epstein Files Transparency Act, mandating the DOJ to publish all unclassified Epstein‑related records [30][29].

Dec 16 2025 – Media note the law’s Dec 19 deadline and that the DOJ cannot release victims’ personally identifiable information [30].

Dec 18 2025 – Judges begin unsealing Epstein‑related court records as the statutory deadline approaches; House Republicans release additional estate pages [29].

Dec 19 2025 – The DOJ posts thousands of files (≈4,000) including photos of Bill Clinton, grand‑jury transcripts and call logs, using a waiting‑room queue; officials say the production is incomplete and more releases will follow [22][23][24][27][28][21].

Dec 20 2025 – Sixteen previously posted files, among them a photo of Donald Trump with Epstein, vanish from the DOJ site without explanation [20][26].

Dec 21 2025 – Democrats on the Oversight Committee decry the missing Trump image as possible censorship, while survivor Jess Michaels says she cannot locate her victim statement in the release [19].

Dec 22 2025 – The DOJ temporarily removes a Trump‑Epstein photo after victims raise concerns, then reinstates it following a review, prompting Democratic calls for Attorney General Bondi to explain the removal [5][17].

Dec 22 2025 – Rep. Thomas Massie threatens to pursue inherent contempt against Attorney General Pam Bondi; Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer announces a resolution to pressure the DOJ when the Senate reconvenes in January [4].

Dec 23 2025 – Lawmakers intensify threats of legal action, with Massie drafting contempt charges and Khanna urging bipartisan fines for withheld documents [4].

Dec 24 2025 – The DOJ discovers over one million additional Epstein‑related documents, delaying a full release while redactions continue [3][16].

Dec 26 2025 – Former President Donald Trump posts on Truth Social urging the DOJ to release the names of Democrats allegedly found in the Epstein files [15].

Jan 30 2026 – The final tranche of the release contains roughly 3,200 pages that mention Trump; Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche says the DOJ is “not shielding” the president [13].

Jan 31 2026 – Deputy AG Blanche announces the DOJ has posted over 3 million pages, 2,000 videos and 180,000 images, asserting no documents are being withheld to protect Trump or any individual [10][11][12].

Jan 31 2026 – A search of the new database shows Trump referenced in more than 1,000 entries; the DOJ labels the accompanying FBI assault tips “untrue and sensationalist” [9].

Jan 31 2026 – Survivors’ lawyers demand the site’s removal and an independent monitor; Deputy AG Blanche admits “mistakes were made” and notes a late‑Tuesday settlement avoided a scheduled court hearing [6].

Jan 31 2026 – The DOJ reports that only 12,285 documents (≈125,575 pages), less than 1 percent of the responsive material, have been released to date, underscoring the massive backlog [14].

Feb 1 2026 – FBI notes compiled over a dozen unverified assault allegations against Trump, which the DOJ calls “false and sensationalist” and says the White House had no role in the review [9].

Feb 2 2026 – After victim complaints, the DOJ withdraws several thousand court records and media files, revises its flag‑ging protocol to pull and replace flagged items within 24‑36 hours [8].

Feb 3 2026 – The DOJ removes thousands of documents following redaction errors; a scheduled New York federal‑court hearing is cancelled after the department and victims reach a settlement [2].

Feb 4 2026 – The Justice Department posts a “mountain of documents” online, exposing nude photos, victims’ names, Social Security numbers and other private data; AP reporters find widespread redaction failures [7].

Feb 5 2026 – Unredacted nude images remain accessible, causing “irreparable” harm; Brad Edwards says the damage is “irreparable,” and Ashley Rubright calls the exposure “a huge violation” of victims’ most vulnerable moments [1].

Feb 5 2026 – Survivors report personal danger: Dani Bensky calls seeing her address “troublesome,” Jess Michaels deems the DOJ’s handling “unacceptable,” and Deputy AG Blanche acknowledges “mistakes were made” [6].

Feb 5 2026 – The DOJ continues removing offending items and re‑publishing corrected versions after a rushed 30‑day review mandated by the 2025 law [7].

Future (2026 onward) – Congress pushes for full, unredacted disclosure and threatens impeachment of Attorney General Bondi if compliance stalls; the DOJ says additional documents remain under review and will be released on a rolling basis [6][4].

Social media (20 posts)

Dive deeper (66 sub-stories)

All related articles (113 articles)

External resources (173 links)