Have the Epstein files been released? Here's the latest.

The deadline for the Justice Department to release its files on sex offender Jeffrey Epstein is fast approaching as Democrats continue to apply pressure with more photo dumps.

In November, President Donald Trump signed the Epstein Files Transparency Act into law after both chambers of Congress backed the legislation.

The law gives the Justice Department 30 days to release most of its files related to its investigations of Epstein – and the clock is ticking.

In the weeks since the law was enacted, some courts have given the green light to release documents about Epstein. On Dec. 10, a U.S. District Court judge in Manhattan ordered the release of records from a grand jury investigation into Epstein. Another judge a day earlier granted a similar request in the case of Epstein associate Ghislaine Maxwell.

Lawmakers have hoped the materials on Epstein, who died by suicide in jail in 2019 while awaiting trial on federal sex trafficking charges, will shed more light on his ties to the rich and powerful.

When will the Epstein files be released?

The Justice Department has 30 days to release its documents on Epstein under the Epstein Files Transparency Act.

Because Trump signed the bill into law on Nov. 19, the files must be released by Dec. 19.

However, because of an exception in the law, it's possible that not all of the documents will be released. The law says the Justice Department can withhold documents that "would jeopardize an active federal investigation or ongoing prosecution, provided that such withholding is narrowly tailored and temporary."

Trump ordered the Justice Department to launch an investigation into Democrats linked to Epstein in November. Because of the provision in the law, Trump and Attorney General Pam Bondi could cite the federal investigation as a reason not to release some documents.

The law also allows authorities to withhold records that violate victims' privacy or contain sensitive material on child sexual abuse.

More Epstein photos released

Since the order was enacted, some House Democrats have released pictures related to Epstein's inner circle.

On Dec. 3, Democrats on the House Oversight and Accountability Committee released pictures from Epstein's private island. The photos show a variety of rooms and items found throughout the island, including a dentist's chair, a wall of masks and a phone with speed-dial listings.

Democrats on the House Oversight and Accountability Committee said the visuals are "never-before-seen photos and videos of Jeffrey Epstein's private island that are a harrowing look behind Epstein’s closed doors."

Then, on Dec. 12, the House Democrats released 89 images, which included photos of sex toys and bondage gear and, separately, snapshots of Epstein with big names like Trump and former President Bill Clinton.

Melina Khan is a national trending reporter for USA TODAY. She can be reached at [email protected]. 

Contributing: Joey Garrison, Kinsey Crowley and Bart Jansen