Despite indications from the Justice Department that its search for files related to sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein is over, the FBI has told a legal watchdog group that it is still looking through its system.
In the latest Trump administration confusion over the high-profile case, the Justice Department said in a court filing that the FBI search continues and that it does not know yet if more documents will be found or released.
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“The FBI’s search efforts are ongoing,” said a newly released “joint status report” to U.S. District Court which is managing a Freedom of Information Act lawsuit from Washington-based Judicial Watch.
“The FBI does not yet have an anticipated number of documents or anticipated dates for release,” added the report.
A similar statement was provided in the report from the Executive Office of United States Attorneys. “EOUSA’s initial search efforts are ongoing. EOUSA does not yet have an anticipated number of documents or anticipated dates for release,” said the joint status report.
The court filing came as the Justice Department said it was done with the internal investigation for documents and a client list for Epstein, who died in his jail cell in August 2019. In shutting down hopes for the release of more information, Justice also announced that Epstein took his own life and had no client list.
The Justice statement from earlier this week has drawn sharp criticism from supporters of President Donald Trump who promised to release the information. It has also led to calls from MAGA that Attorney General Pam Bondi resign.
Tom Fitton, the president of Judicial Watch, highlighted the confusion that the joint status report has added to the controversy.
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“The Justice Department and FBI are sending out contradictory messages: telling the American people that no more Epstein material will be released, while telling the federal court in our case that the Epstein FOIA review is proceeding. But no matter, our FOIA lawsuit for the Epstein material continues. We will be relentless in demanding transparency under law,” he said Thursday after revealing the July 7 joint status report.
Ooof.
— Mark Mitchell, Rasmussen Reports (@honestpollster) July 10, 2025
BBB? Epstein? Elon? pic.twitter.com/6nPjBJlDb0
The shock expressed by Trump supporters over closing down further release of Epstein information may be hurting the president’s public approval rating. Rasmussen Reports has noted a drop in his approvals and cited the controversy as one of the possible reasons.