Trump signs legislation releasing Epstein files

In a dramatic political reversal, President Donald Trump on Wednesday signed the Epstein Files Transparency Act, directing the Department of Justice (DOJ) to publicly release all unclassified records tied to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

The move caps a whirlwind week in Washington. Until several days ago, Trump had repeatedly argued that releasing the files would only fuel conspiracy theories and distract from other national priorities. But in a Sunday evening post on Truth Social, the president abruptly shifted course, urging House Republicans to pass the bipartisan bill and declaring that it was “time to move on from the controversy.”

A Rare Display of Bipartisan Unity

Lawmakers acted quickly. On Tuesday, the House passed the legislation in a sweeping 427–1 vote, with Rep. Clay Higgins (R-La.) standing as the lone dissenter. Hours later, the Senate approved the bill unanimously, sending it promptly to the White House.

Members of both parties framed the legislation as a long-overdue step toward transparency in a case that has fueled years of public speculation.

“This is about restoring trust,” said Rep. Deborah Ross (D-N.C.). “Whatever the public can responsibly see, they should see.”

Republican leaders, some of whom had previously echoed Trump’s earlier opposition, embraced the president’s shift. A senior GOP aide described the rapid turnaround as “the cleanest off-ramp we were going to get on an issue that wasn’t going away.”

30 Days to Release the Files

Under the new law, Attorney General Pam Bondi has 30 days to make public:

all unclassified DOJ records related to Epstein

FBI materials

U.S. Attorney’s Office documents

communications and investigative files connected to Epstein or his criminal network

The documents must be released in a searchable and downloadable format, a requirement similar to the one used for the JFK Records Act.

Bondi, who has not commented extensively on the legislation, is expected to outline the DOJ’s implementation plan later this week.

How Much Will the Public Actually Learn?

Despite the sweeping mandate, the law contains several major exceptions, raising questions about how much new information will ultimately be disclosed.

The DOJ may redact or withhold:

identities and personal details of Epstein’s victims, to preserve privacy

information that could jeopardize active investigations or ongoing prosecutions

materials that require temporary withholding, provided the delay is “narrowly tailored”

Legal experts note that the DOJ retains significant discretion. “The scope is broad, but so are the carve-outs,” said one former federal prosecutor. “There will be a lot of pressure to release as much as possible, but the department will be balancing transparency with protecting victims and safeguarding other cases.”

A Political and Cultural Flashpoint

Epstein’s crimes — and his death in federal custody in 2019 — have remained a source of persistent speculation, amplified by social media and high-profile civil litigation involving wealthy or politically connected individuals.

Trump’s reversal reflects both the enduring public fascination with the case and the political desire to put the story to rest.

Whether the release of unclassified files will quiet speculation or intensify it remains an open question. For now, the clock begins ticking as the Justice Department prepares for what could be one of the most closely watched document disclosures in years.