US President Donald Trump has signed into law a bill directing the Justice Department to release government files relating to the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The legislation mandates that the Justice Department make all unclassified records about investigations into Epstein publicly available within 30 days. However, some documents may be withheld or redacted if they involve ongoing investigations or risk invading personal privacy.
Earlier, Trump had opposed releasing the files, dismissing the matter as a Democrat-led “hoax.” But after facing pressure from Epstein’s victims and his own Republican colleagues, he reversed his stance. “Perhaps the truth about these Democrats, and their associations with Jeffrey Epstein, will soon be revealed, because I HAVE JUST SIGNED THE BILL TO RELEASE THE EPSTEIN FILES!” Trump declared.
The files to be released include transcripts of interviews with victims and witnesses, seized items from Epstein’s properties, internal Justice Department communications, flight logs, and names linked to Epstein. This release is separate from over 20,000 pages of documents from Epstein’s estate made public last week that mentioned Trump.
Trump, who knew Epstein but says they parted ways in the early 2000s before Epstein’s first arrest, insisted Republicans had “nothing to do with Epstein” and accused Democrats of being Epstein’s allies. “It’s really a Democrat problem,” he said.
The family of Virginia Giuffre, an Epstein victim who died by suicide earlier this year, called Trump’s signing of the bill “nothing short of monumental” for survivors. They added, “Every name must be revealed, regardless of power, wealth, or party affiliation.”
Attorney General Pam Bondi will oversee the release but can withhold information to protect victims and ongoing investigations. Republican Congressman Thomas Massie expressed concern that investigations might be used to justify withholding files.
Epstein died by suicide in prison in 2019 while awaiting charges of sex trafficking; he had been convicted in 2008 of soliciting prostitution from a minor.
