The US Justice Department said Wednesday it may need several more weeks to release the so-called Epstein Files after finding more than a million documents that are potentially relevant to the case.

A deadline set by a Congressional committee for the release of the documents related to late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein had already passed.

Why is the release of the Epstein files delayed?

A social media post by the Justice Department describing the documents' discovery does not mention when had the new documents been found, but it did mention the department's lawyers are working "around the clock" to remove information that could disclose the victims.

"Due to the mas volume of material, this process may take a few more weeks," the post read.

The discovery of the documents comes after Justice Department officials said several months ago that they had already carried out an extensive review looking for available documents related to the case.

This means the documents will be made public after the congressional deadline set for Friday.

How did US lawmakers react?

Eleven senators, both Democratic and Republican, turned to the Justice Department's watchdog, calling for it to investigate the authority's failure to release the files on time for the deadline.

The senators said victims "deserve the full disclosure" and the "peace of mind" of an independet examination.

Republican Representative Thomas Massie, one of the authors of the Epstein Files Transparency Act, a law that requires the US government to open its cases regarding Epstein and longtime confidante Ghislaine Maxwell, said the DOJ "broke the law" by missing the deadline.

Democratic senate minority leader Chuck Schumer said the news about the new documents blamed US President Donald Trump for engaging in "a massive coverup."

"The question Americans deserve answered is simple: What are they hiding, and why?"