US President Donald Trump announced he has signed a law ordering the Justice Department to release all files related to the late financier Jeffrey Epstein. The measure requires that the department publish all information from its Epstein investigation “in a searchable and downloadable format” within 30 days.
Trump had previously opposed releasing the materials but reversed course last week after pressure from Epstein’s victims and members of his own party. With his support the legislation cleared the House and Senate overwhelmingly: the House voted 427-1 and the Senate gave unanimous consent.
In a Truth Social post, Trump accused Democrats of using the issue to distract from his administration’s record and suggested the files could expose Democrats’ connections to Epstein. The files covered by the law include documents from criminal investigations, transcripts of interviews with victims and witnesses, and items seized in raids of Epstein’s properties.
Congress had already released more than 20,000 pages of documents from Epstein’s estate last week; those estate papers include 2018 messages from Epstein referencing Trump. A congressional vote was not required for release, since the president could have ordered the files made public on his own.
Epstein was found dead in his New York jail cell in 2019 while awaiting trial on sex-trafficking charges; a coroner ruled his death a suicide. He had previously been convicted in 2008 of soliciting prostitution from a minor. Epstein associated with numerous high-profile figures across politics, royalty, business and entertainment. In related fallout, former Harvard president Larry Summers took a leave from teaching while the school investigates his email exchanges with Epstein.
The law directs Attorney General Pam Bondi to release “all unclassified records, documents, communications, and investigative materials” related to Epstein and his co‑conspirator Ghislaine Maxwell no later than 30 days after enactment. It specifies materials such as internal Justice Department communications, flight logs and lists of people and entities connected to Epstein.
However, the bill allows portions to be withheld if disclosure would invade personal privacy, identify victims, or jeopardize an active federal investigation. Bondi may therefore redact or withhold information for those reasons. Trump has asked the Justice Department to probe Epstein’s alleged links to major banks and several prominent Democrats; Republican Congressman Thomas Massie warned that newly opened investigations might be used to justify withholding files.
