Poll Shows Two‑Thirds Believe Information Is Withheld The SSRS poll conducted mid‑January, a few weeks after the Dec. 19 deadline, found 66% of respondents think the government is deliberately holding back Epstein‑related records. Dissatisfaction runs high: only about 6% say they are satisfied with what has been released, while 49% express discontent. The poll surveyed a cross‑section of adults nationwide, providing a snapshot of public sentiment on the DOJ’s review process [1].

Partisan Divide Evident in Withholding Perceptions Nearly nine‑in‑ten Democrats and 72% of independents assert the files are being concealed, contrasting with 42% of Republicans who share that view. Satisfaction among Republicans is marginally higher at 12%, but still far below overall approval. These partisan gaps suggest political affiliation heavily influences interpretation of the DOJ’s transparency efforts [1].

Justice Department Has Released Less Than One Percent The DOJ reported that under 1% of Epstein‑related documents have been made public since the deadline. To accelerate the review, the agency added roughly 80 attorneys to its Southern District of New York team. Despite the staffing boost, the release rate remains minimal, fueling public suspicion [1].

Trump Labels Files a Democratic Hoax Former President Donald Trump dismissed the pending files as a “Democratic hoax,” reiterating his earlier criticism of the bipartisan deadline legislation. His remarks echo a broader Republican narrative that the investigation is politically motivated. This stance aligns with the lower withholding perception among Republican respondents [1].