US President Donald Trump has signed legislation requiring the Justice Department to release government files related to Jeffrey Epstein, the late financier convicted of sex crimes. The bill mandates that all information from the Epstein investigation be made public within 30 days, although portions may be withheld if they involve ongoing investigations or sensitive personal data.
The move follows overwhelming congressional support, with the House of Representatives approving the measure 427-1 and the Senate granting unanimous consent. Trump had previously opposed releasing the files, dismissing calls as a Democrat-led “hoax,” but reversed his stance last week after pressure from Epstein’s victims and some Republicans.
“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 wrote on his social media platform. He reiterated to reporters that Republicans had “nothing to do with Epstein” and described the issue as a “Democrat problem.”
The files subject to release include materials from criminal investigations into Epstein, such as transcripts of victim and witness interviews, property search records, internal Justice Department communications, and flight logs. The law also covers documents related to Epstein’s associate Ghislaine Maxwell, who is serving a 20-year sentence for sex trafficking.
The legislation is separate from over 20,000 pages of estate-related documents recently made public by Congress, some of which mention Trump. Epstein’s past connections spanned prominent figures in politics, media, and royalty, including Trump, former Harvard president Larry Summers, and Andrew Mountbatten Windsor. Following the release of emails linking Summers to Epstein, he announced a temporary step back from public commitments while Harvard investigates.
Advocates for Epstein’s victims welcomed the bill. The family of Virginia Giuffre, who died by suicide earlier this year, called Trump’s signing “nothing short of monumental.” “Every name must be revealed, regardless of power, wealth, or party affiliation,” they said.
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Congress designed the legislation to ensure maximum transparency while allowing Attorney General Pam Bondi discretion to withhold any information that could jeopardize ongoing investigations or identify victims. Republican Congressman Thomas Massie expressed concerns that some files could still be withheld under the guise of active investigations, cautioning that full disclosure might not be guaranteed.
With the 30-day deadline now in motion, the release of these records is expected to shed further light on Epstein’s network and dealings, potentially reverberating across politics, business, and society.