One month has passed since the Justice Department was legally required to release all its files on Jeffrey Epstein, the infamous sex offender. Yet, only a sparse portion of these documents has seen the light of day, and the Department remains tight-lipped about its future disclosure plans.

The silence isn't just on the DOJ's part; congressional Republicans, too, appear to be stepping back. Despite nearly unanimous GOP support last November for the records' release—a move initially opposed by then-President Donald Trump—key figures now deem it a low priority. Rep. Lauren Boebert (R-Colo.), who once pushed hard against GOP leadership to bring the Epstein legislation to a vote, starkly encapsulated this new stance. "I don’t give a rip about Epstein," she remarked last week, signaling a definitive shift in focus.

This retreat comes amidst several high-profile political dramas, including Trump's military moves in Venezuela and controversial domestic incidents, diverting Washington's attention. The GOP's reluctance to continue pressing on the Epstein issue underscores an ongoing hesitation to confront Trump, who remains a dominant figure in the party.

The political costs of defying Trump have been tangible. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, a vocal supporter of the Epstein file release, found herself branded a "traitor" by Trump and subsequently resigned from the House. Others, like Rep. Nancy Mace, faced threats to their political careers, with signals that their defiance could cost crucial endorsements.

Rep. Anna Paulina Luna (R-Fla.), while initially active in the Epstein investigations, now prioritizes other matters, such as potential legal actions against Bill and Hillary Clinton, rather than pushing the DOJ for swifter file releases. Meanwhile, the Justice Department claims to be cooperating, but the slow pace and extensive redactions in the released files suggest otherwise.

Only Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) continues to vocally demand full DOJ compliance, emphasizing the legal obligation to release unredacted files promptly. Alongside Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.), Massie has sought judicial intervention to ensure an unbiased release of the Epstein files.

As the DOJ drags its heels, promising yet more delays in the document release process, the spotlight will soon return to this issue. Attorney General Pam Bondi is set to testify before the House Judiciary Committee on February 11, where she will undoubtedly face tough questions from both Democrats and persistent figures like Massie.

With the statutory deadline long past and over a million documents still undisclosed, the unfolding saga of the Epstein files continues to test the political will and legal frameworks at the heart of American governance. As Rep. Khanna puts it, the matter is now not just political but squarely legal, resting in the hands of the courts to enforce the law.