Over the years, people were clamoring for the documents contained in the Jeffrey Epstein files to be released publicly. Then in November of 2025, Congress passed and President Trump signed into law the Epstein Files Transparency Act, which lays out the process for the nearly full release to the public of documents relating to the late, convicted sex offender.
The administration’s ability to release some of the files, like grand jury transcripts, was temporarily held up by court wranglings, but the DOJ’s request was ultimately granted. In February, then-Attorney General Pam Bondi announced that all materials relating to Jeffrey Epstein had been released.
READ MORE: One Step Closer: New York Judge Orders Release of Epstein Grand Jury Materials
It’s Done: Bondi Tells Congress She’s Released All the Epstein Files, No More Coming
Now, the Inspector General’s Office (OIG) of the Justice Department (DOJ) is looking into how well the department is implementing the law, through an audit of their work, it announced Thuesday in a press release:
Today we announced the initiation of an audit of the Department of Justice’s compliance with the Epstein Files Transparency Act. Learn more: https://t.co/hvBAwtbhnX pic.twitter.com/jLISMCIyYJ
— DOJ Inspector General (@JusticeOIG) April 23, 2026
The release reads:
Department of Justice (DOJ) Deputy Inspector General Performing the Duties of Inspector General William M. Blier announced today that:
The DOJ Office of the Inspector General (OIG) is initiating an audit of DOJ’s compliance with the Epstein Files Transparency Act. Our preliminary objective is to evaluate the DOJ’s processes for identifying, redacting, and releasing records in its possession as required by the Act. To accomplish this preliminary objective, the OIG plans to focus on reviewing (1) the DOJ’s identification, collection, and production of responsive material; (2) DOJ guidance and processes for redacting and withholding material consistent with the requirements enumerated in the Act; and (3) DOJ’s processes for addressing post-release publication concerns. If circumstances warrant, the OIG will consider addressing other issues that may arise during the course of the audit.
Consistent with the requirements of the Inspector General Act of 1978, as amended, the OIG will issue a public report with the audit’s results when our work is complete.
As RedState wrote earlier in April, some Epstein survivors and their families bristled when First Lady Melania Trump issues a statement in which she denied any relationship with either Epstein or his partner, Ghislaine Maxwell, and urged Congress to hold a protected public hearing for survivors to share their stories.
READ MORE: Epstein Survivors Issue Bizarre Response to Melania Trump’s Statement
Here’s a little more on why the DOJ might be starting the audit:
The Justice Department ultimately released roughly 3.5 million pages of documents about its investigations into Epstein, though it did so more than a month after the law’s deadline for release.
Alleged victims of sexual abuse by Epstein have complained that DOJ repeatedly failed to redact photos and other details that could reveal their identities and did not make public all the information prosecutors have about Epstein associates who were allegedly aware of his crimes or conspired with him but were never charged.
…
DOJ officials have said they did their best to follow the law’s disclosure requirements, despite an unrealistic timeline set by Congress.
This is a developing story. RedState will provide updates as more information becomes available.
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