WASHINGTON, US — President Donald Trump has signed a bipartisan bill compelling the U.S. Department of Justice to release a wide range of documents related to Jeffrey Epstein, marking a sharp reversal after years of reluctance to make the files public.
The law gives the Justice Department 30 days to publish unclassified records on Epstein — including investigations into his crimes, his death in federal custody, his network of associates, flight logs, immunity deals, charging decisions, and documentation surrounding his detention.
Redactions will be allowed only to protect victims, ongoing investigations, or depictions of abuse.
Trump, who had the authority to release the documents during his first term but declined to do so, faced growing pressure from both Democrats and conservatives. After the House and Senate moved swiftly to pass the bill, Trump signed it and used the moment to attack Democrats on Truth Social, saying: “Perhaps the truth about these Democrats, and their associations with Jeffrey Epstein, will soon be revealed.”
The move follows months of political wrangling. While campaigning, Trump had promised transparency on the Epstein files, but once in office described the push as a “hoax”. His stance shifted only after it became clear Congress would force the issue.
The Justice Department previously said much of the Epstein material was sealed by court order to protect victims. It remains unclear how much new information will emerge from the mandated release, given the exceptions allowed.
Still, the bill requires the files to be published in a searchable and downloadable format, potentially shedding new light on Epstein’s vast web of connections, including references to high-profile figures. Trump himself appears in some previously released congressional documents, though no evidence links him to Epstein’s crimes.
Epstein, a financier accused of sex trafficking minors, died in 2019 in a Manhattan federal jail in what authorities ruled a suicide. His death and the secrecy around his network have fueled years of speculation and political tensions.
The latest legislation ensures a fresh round of disclosures — and possibly, renewed public scrutiny surrounding one of the most controversial criminal cases in recent U.S. history.
