US President Donald Trump says he signed a bill that orders the release of government files on the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein - a significant turning point in a months-long fight over the documents.
The justice department now has 30 days to publicly share all information from federal investigations into Epstein. However, it can withhold files that relate to active criminal investigations or are deemed to invade personal privacy.
In a major reversal, Trump dropped his opposition to the measure last weekend, after pushback from Epstein's victims and members of his own Republican Party.
With his support, the resolution overwhelmingly cleared both chambers of Congress.
Until recently, Trump had dismissed the need to release the documents, calling it a Democrat-led hoax to deflect attention away from his party's work. That position was itself a change from the stance he took ahead of the 2024 election.
Under the law now signed by Trump, Attorney General Pam Bondi must release the documents within 30 days.
The files subject to release are from criminal investigations into Epstein, including transcripts of interviews with victims and witnesses, and items seized in raids of his properties. Those materials include internal justice department communications, flight logs, and people and entities connected to the late financier.
However, the resolution allows the justice department to withhold any documents related to criminal investigations. Experts are already speculating that parts of the files will be redacted, leading to concerns about the extent of the privacy protections for victims.
Trump had promised during his 2024 presidential campaign to make the files public, but his prior reticence led lawmakers from both parties to introduce the resolution compelling the files' release. The anticipated files are expected to shed light on Epstein’s connections with powerful figures across various sectors.
Ultimately, Trump's signing of this bill marks a significant event in the ongoing discourse regarding transparency and accountability in high-profile cases.
