Republican critics fear incomplete disclosure of Epstein files will loom over midterms

Jeffrey Epstein is seen in this image released by the Department of Justice in Washington, D.C., U.S., on December 19, 2025 as part of a new trove of documents from its investigations into the late financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. U.S. Justice Department/Handout via REUTERS

Dec 20 (Reuters) - Extensive redactions and the limited number of documents released ‌related to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein angered some Republicans and did little to defuse a scandal threatening the party ahead of 2026 midterm elections.

The Trump administration touted this week's release of a ‌cache of Epstein-related files as a show of transparency, but a handful of Republican lawmakers and right-wing media figuresjoined Democrats in blasting Friday's disclosures as inadequate and possibly in violation of a ‌law that prompted their release.