Trump Orders Release of Epstein Files After Signing New Transparency Bill

US President Donald Trump has signed a new federal bill compelling the Justice Department to release long-sealed government records tied to the late financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The move marks a dramatic reversal for Trump, who until last week had dismissed calls for disclosure as a political “hoax.”

Under the legislation, the Justice Department must make its Epstein investigative files public within 30 days. However, officials may withhold specific details that could interfere with ongoing investigations or violate personal privacy protections.

Trump orders release of long-hidden Epstein files after new bill

The bipartisan measure sailed through Congress on Tuesday with overwhelming support — the House approved it in a near-unanimous 427–1 vote, and the Senate swiftly followed with unanimous consent.

Trump, who had initially opposed releasing the documents, faced growing pressure from Epstein’s victims, advocacy groups, and even members of his own Republican Party. Last week, he abruptly shifted his stance, declaring that transparency was now essential.

“Perhaps the truth about these Democrats, and their associations with Jeffrey Epstein, will soon be revealed,” Trump posted on social media after signing the bill. “I HAVE JUST SIGNED THE BILL TO RELEASE THE EPSTEIN FILES!”

What Will Be Released

The records set for release include internal Justice Department files, investigative communications, flight logs, interview transcripts, and materials seized during federal raids of Epstein’s estates. These documents differ from the 20,000-plus pages Congress released earlier this month from Epstein’s estate, some of which mentioned Trump directly — including 2018 messages in which Epstein claimed he could “take [Trump] down.”

Political Fallout and Renewed Scrutiny

Trump and Epstein were once socially acquainted, but Trump says the relationship soured in the early 2000s, years before Epstein’s first arrest. He has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing and now insists Epstein was “a Democrat problem,” telling reporters Monday that Republicans had “nothing to do with Epstein.”

Epstein’s connections, however, spanned politics, academia, and entertainment, linking him to figures such as Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, former Trump advisor Steve Bannon, and former Harvard president Larry Summers — who stepped aside from teaching duties Wednesday amid renewed scrutiny over email exchanges with Epstein.

Families Welcome Disclosure but Warn Against Delays

The family of Virginia Giuffre — a prominent Epstein accuser who died by suicide earlier this year — called Trump’s signing of the bill “monumental” for survivors seeking justice. “Every name must be revealed, regardless of power, wealth, or party affiliation,” said her relatives Sky and Amanda Roberts.

Attorney General Pam Bondi is now tasked with releasing “all unclassified records” regarding Epstein and his accomplice Ghislaine Maxwell, who is serving a 20-year sentence for sex trafficking. Yet, the law still allows Bondi to withhold information that could expose victims or jeopardize active federal probes.

Republican Congressman Thomas Massie, one of the bill’s authors, warned that newly opened investigations might be used as grounds to block disclosures. “I’m concerned they may use these investigations as a predicate for not releasing the files,” he said.

Epstein died in 2019 in a New York jail, in what was ruled a suicide while he awaited trial on federal sex-trafficking charges.