Trump signs bill ordering Justice Department to release Jeffrey Epstein documents
President Donald Trump on Thursday signed bipartisan legislation directing the Justice Department to make public files from its long-running probe of sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The move comes after weeks of political pressure and signals a reversal from earlier opposition by the White House.
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- Trump had previously urged Republicans to block the measure, fearing a precedent for exposing internal investigative records, according to two congressional aides.
- The legislation requires the Justice Department to publish Epstein-related materials within 30 days, though the law allows some redactions and exemptions.
Scope and limits of the document release by the Justice Department
Attorney General Pam Bondi said the Justice Department will comply with the law and release the files within the statutory 30-day window, while emphasizing protections for victims and ongoing inquiries. Legal exceptions in the bill permit withholding information that could identify victims or compromise active investigations.
- Bondi told reporters the department will “continue to follow the law and encourage maximum transparency.”
- Court precedents and statutory carve-outs mean some material — including grand jury details and anything that might jeopardize a probe — may remain sealed.
Timeline and redaction standards
The legislation sets a 30-day deadline for the Justice Department to begin releasing documents, but does not mandate every file be unredacted. Officials will balance transparency with legal obligations to protect victims and investigative integrity.
Political reaction: Trump’s reversal and partisan framing
Trump celebrated the signing on his social platform, saying the releases may expose “the truth about certain Democrats and their associations with Jeffrey Epstein.” The president had shifted position after it became clear the bill would pass with bipartisan majorities.
- In a Truth Social post, Trump suggested the disclosures would reveal Democratic connections and accused opponents of trying to distract from Republican policy achievements.
- Republicans and Democrats pushed the measure through Congress, each framing the release as advancing transparency and accountability.
White House calculations
Officials privately warned that opposing the bill risked political fallout as momentum built in both chambers of Congress, prompting the president’s reversal, according to two congressional aides cited by lawmakers.
Public sentiment and ongoing investigations
Public confidence in how the Epstein case has been handled is low, and many Americans say they believe the government is concealing information about Epstein’s associates. The Reuters/Ipsos poll cited in congressional debate showed broad skepticism across party lines.
- Only 20% of Americans approve of Trump’s handling of the Epstein matter; 44% of Republicans approve.
- Seventy percent of respondents said they believe the government is hiding information about Epstein’s clients — including 87% of Democrats and 60% of Republicans.
Investigations and potential withheld material
Trump recently directed the Justice Department to examine several Democratic figures who had associations with Epstein; officials could decide to withhold documents tied to named individuals to protect ongoing probes.
Background: Epstein, Ghislaine Maxwell and prior court actions
Jeffrey Epstein, who socialized with high-profile figures before his 2008 conviction for soliciting a minor, died in 2019. His former associate, Ghislaine Maxwell, is serving a 20-year sentence for helping Epstein sexually abuse underage girls.
- Court efforts to unseal grand jury transcripts in related cases were previously rebuffed after Justice Department requests to keep records sealed.
- The newly mandated release could still exclude grand jury materials and information that would identify victims or jeopardize active investigations.
By Abdiwahab Ahmed
Axadle Times international–Monitoring.
