WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump has signed a new bipartisan bill requiring the public release of all federal files related to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, marking a significant reversal after months of opposing the effort.
The legislation mandates the Department of Justice to disclose all documents, correspondence, and investigative materials tied to Epstein — including files connected to the probe into his 2019 death in federal custody — within 30 days. While sensitive details concerning victims and active investigations may be redacted, the law explicitly prohibits withholding information due to political concerns, reputational harm, or embarrassment.
Trump had long faced pressure from lawmakers across the political spectrum to allow the release. Despite having the authority to publish many of the documents earlier, he resisted until it became clear that Congress was prepared to act decisively.
In a social media post announcing his signature, Trump accused Democrats of using the Epstein case “to distract from our major accomplishments,” while insisting the issue had become an unnecessary political diversion.
The road to this moment was unusual, driven by a coalition that included Democrats, outspoken Republican critics of the president, and several former Trump loyalists. As recently as last week, the administration held a high-level meeting with Rep. Lauren Boebert — one of the bill’s GOP supporters — in an attempt to shift her stance. She did not waver.
Momentum for the bill surged over the weekend, prompting Trump to make a sudden shift. He said the controversy surrounding the documents was overshadowing the GOP agenda and he wanted the party to stay focused on other priorities.
The House overwhelmingly passed the measure in a 427–1 vote, with Rep. Clay Higgins of Louisiana objecting on grounds that the legislation could expose innocent individuals named during the Epstein investigation. The Senate followed by approving the measure without objection.
Epstein, once a fixture among the global elite, had known Trump in the past. The president maintains he was unaware of Epstein’s criminal activities and severed ties with him years before the financier’s arrest.
Before Trump’s return to the White House, some of his political allies helped amplify theories alleging a government cover-up in the case — speculation that lawmakers said only strengthened the need for full transparency.
