How long can Trump keep the Epstein Files BURIED?

 

How long can Trump keep the Epstein Files BURIED?

Based on information as of late January 2026, the ability of the Trump administration to keep the Jeffrey Epstein files "buried" is severely constrained by federal legislation, although significant delays and partial disclosures have occurred.

The Law (Epstein Files Transparency Act): In November 2025, Congress passed and Donald Trump signed the Epstein Files Transparency Act, which mandated the Department of Justice (DOJ) to release all unclassified records, documents, and, communications related to Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell.

 

• The Deadline Missed: The law required the DOJ to release the files within 30 days, a deadline that fell on December 19, 2025. As of late January 2026, this deadline was not met, with critics stating that less than 1% of the files had been released.
• The "Buried" Strategy: While the law forces disclosure, the Trump administration has used, or is suspected of using, several methods to keep the bulk of the information hidden:
• "Incomplete" Releases: The DOJ released a limited, heavily redacted cache of files in December 2025.
• Review Process: Reports indicate the DOJ is reviewing over 5 million documents, allowing them to delay full release under the guise of thoroughness.
• Legal Exceptions: The law allows the withholding of files that could jeopardize active federal investigations, invade personal privacy, or contain classified information.
• Lost/Missing Data: There have been reports of at least 16 files, including one involving a photo of Trump, disappearing from the DOJ website after being posted.

 

How Long Can They Keep Them Hidden?

• The "buried" status is now a day-to-day battle rather than a long-term guarantee. The administration is facing mounting pressure from Congress, including potential lawsuits for contempt, and from a subset of the Republican base demanding transparency.
• Midterm Elections: The scandal is expected to haunt the administration into the 2026 midterm election campaign, making a total, long-term burial politically difficult.
• Legal/Active Investigations: As long as the DOJ can claim files are part of an "active investigation," they can delay release.
• Public/Political Pressure: While Trump has previously been able to outlast scandals, the bipartisan and internal Republican pressure on this issue is high, making it harder to keep the files hidden indefinitely.
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In summary, while the Trump administration has effectively delayed the full release beyond the legal deadline, they cannot permanently hide the files under the current law, and the pressure is mounting for a full, unredacted release