US Justice Dept says it cannot provide unredacted Epstein files for New Mexico probe

New Mexico Attorney General Raul Torrez had accused the DOJ of deliberately obstructing the state's criminal probe by withholding the requested documents. A DOJ spokesperson countered that federal law, court orders, and privacy protections for victims and witnesses prohibit the release of millions of unredacted documents, and stated the department would continue to adhere to these legal constraints.

In February, New Mexico reopened its investigation into alleged abuses at Epstein's former ranch near Santa Fe, where he is accused of victimizing women and girls for nearly three decades. According to Torrez, the U.S. Attorney's Office for New Mexico provided only 31 pages of previously released documents, redacted material, or news clippings in response to a request for unredacted files.

Torrez characterized the DOJ's actions as a "deliberate choice not to cooperate." Meanwhile, the New Mexico state legislature is conducting its own parallel investigation, with its "Truth Commission" expected to release an interim report this month after subpoenaing U.S. attorneys' offices in three states and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Pressure from victims and advocates for the DOJ to release the Epstein files in their entirety has also affected President Donald Trump's administration.