On Monday, February 10, 2026, a new chapter in the ongoing Jeffrey Epstein saga will unfold as the U.S. Justice Department opens its doors to members of Congress, granting them access to unredacted versions of the infamous Epstein files. This move, prompted by mounting criticism over previous heavy redactions and delays, marks a significant step toward transparency in one of the most scrutinized criminal investigations in recent memory, according to reports from MS NOW and other outlets.
The decision comes after the Justice Department released over three million pages of Epstein-related records, a trove that includes investigative documents, emails, thousands of videos, and tens of thousands of images. While these files have been available to the public in redacted form, lawmakers will now have the unique opportunity to review them in their entirety—albeit under strict conditions. Only elected members of Congress are permitted to access the documents, which are housed on secure computers in a Justice Department reading room. Staffers and electronic devices are strictly prohibited, and lawmakers must provide 24 hours’ notice before their visit. They can take handwritten notes, but nothing leaves the premises except what’s committed to memory or jotted down by hand.
The latest release of documents, mandated by the Epstein Files Transparency Act, was supposed to be completed by December 19, 2025. Yet, the sheer volume and sensitivity of the materials have led to ongoing waves of disclosure. The most recent batch includes more than 2,000 videos and 18,000 images, alongside references to prominent figures such as former President Donald Trump, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, and entrepreneur Elon Musk. However, as MS NOW and other news organizations have emphasized, there is no evidence of criminal wrongdoing by any of these individuals so far. Officials continue to stress that simply appearing in the files does not imply guilt or illegal activity—a point that legal experts and advocates for due process have been quick to reinforce.
Monday’s developments are not limited to the document review. In a parallel move, Ghislaine Maxwell—Epstein’s longtime associate and the woman convicted in 2021 for her role in his sex trafficking operation—will make her first congressional appearance. Maxwell is scheduled to testify remotely before the House Oversight Committee from the federal prison camp in Bryan, Texas, where she is serving her 20-year sentence. But, as her attorney David Oscar Markus confirmed to MS NOW, Maxwell will invoke her Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination and decline to answer questions. This anticipated silence is likely to frustrate lawmakers and the public alike, but it remains her constitutional prerogative.
The House Oversight Committee’s interest in Maxwell is part of a broader push to understand not just the mechanics of Epstein’s crimes, but also the extent of his network and the failures—systemic or otherwise—that allowed his abuse to continue unchecked for years. The committee’s investigation has been energized by the massive new release of federal records, which survivors, journalists, and advocates are now combing through in search of answers. Among the newly disclosed materials is a 2015 email from Epstein to Maxwell, containing a draft defense statement connected to litigation brought by Virginia Giuffre, one of Epstein’s most prominent accusers. In the draft, Maxwell denies any wrongdoing and addresses the now-infamous photo of Giuffre with Prince Andrew, stating, "It was in London when (redacted but apparently Giuffre) met a number of friends of mine, including Prince Andrew. A photograph was taken as I imagine she wanted to show it to friends and family."
The congressional review is also notable for its timing. Members of the House Judiciary Committee will be able to examine the unredacted files just days before Attorney General Pam Bondi is set to testify before the panel. This sequence of events raises the stakes for the upcoming hearing, as lawmakers will have the opportunity to question the Attorney General with fresh, unfiltered information in hand. Assistant Attorney General Patrick Davis, in a letter obtained by MS NOW, outlined the procedures for congressional access and emphasized the importance of maintaining the integrity of the review process. The Justice Department will keep a record of the dates and times members conduct their reviews, adding an additional layer of accountability.
The fallout from the latest document release has already been felt beyond the walls of Congress. According to MS NOW, a top lawyer and an art world executive resigned from their positions after their emails with Epstein were revealed in the files. The resignations underscore the far-reaching impact of the ongoing disclosures, as individuals and institutions grapple with their past associations with Epstein. Survivors and their allies, meanwhile, have voiced frustration over the Justice Department’s handling of the files, particularly the initial sloppy redactions that exposed the names of dozens of known or suspected survivors. The department has since pledged to correct these errors, but the incident has reignited debates over privacy, victim protection, and the government’s responsibility to balance transparency with sensitivity.
Looking ahead, the congressional investigation into Epstein’s network is set to intensify. The House Oversight Committee has scheduled further high-profile depositions later this month, including closed-door, transcribed sessions with former President Bill Clinton on February 27 and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on February 26. Both Clintons have faced questions about their connections to Epstein in the past, though no evidence has emerged implicating them in criminal wrongdoing. Billionaire retail executive Les Wexner, who has long been scrutinized for his relationship with Epstein and the extraordinary access he granted to his finances, is also expected to appear for a deposition on February 18 in Washington, D.C.
The renewed congressional access to Epstein’s files is, in many ways, a response to the persistent public demand for accountability and answers. The investigation remains active, even years after Epstein’s death in custody in 2019—a death that itself spawned a host of conspiracy theories and lingering suspicions. Officials have repeatedly cautioned that inclusion in the files does not equate to guilt, and all individuals mentioned are presumed innocent unless proven otherwise by a court of law. Still, the sheer scale of the records and the notoriety of the individuals involved ensure that the Epstein case will remain a focal point of American political and social discourse for the foreseeable future.
As Congress prepares to sift through millions of pages of evidence and question key figures under oath, the nation watches, hoping for clarity in a case that has, for too long, been shrouded in secrecy and scandal.