In a significant shift after months of resistance, US President Donald Trump has signed legislation mandating the release of files pertaining to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The bill, passed by Congress, now requires the Department of Justice (DOJ) to make public all documents and communications related to Epstein within 30 days. This includes information regarding the investigation into his 2019 death in a federal prison. While the legislation permits redactions for ongoing federal investigations concerning Epstein’s victims, it explicitly forbids withholding information due to embarrassment, reputational damage, or political sensitivity. The move comes as a surprise, given the administration’s previous reluctance to fully disclose the materials, which could have been initiated by Trump himself earlier. Trump stated on social media that Democrats had used the Epstein issue to distract from Republican achievements, and that signing the bill would allow the party to refocus on its successes. The legislative effort originated from an unusual bipartisan coalition in Congress, including Democrats and some Republicans who were critical of the president. Even as recently as last week, the administration engaged in discussions with proponents of the bill, attempting to sway their stance. However, Trump ultimately reversed his position as it became evident that congressional action was unavoidable, viewing the Epstein matter as a distraction from the GOP’s agenda.
