US President Donald Trump has signed a new federal bill requiring the Department of Justice to release long-sought government records related to the late financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
The decision marks a major shift in Trump’s stance after months of opposing public disclosure of the files, which survivors and lawmakers had argued were essential to accountability.
Under the new law, Attorney General Pam Bondi must publish the materials within 30 days.
These documents include evidence collected during federal investigations into Epstein, such as internal DOJ communications, flight logs, interview transcripts with victims and witnesses, and items seized during searches of Epstein’s residences.
However, the department may still withhold information connected to ongoing criminal investigations or anything that could violate personal privacy—particularly identifying details or medical information about victims.
Trump’s reversal came after strong pressure from Epstein’s survivors and several Republican lawmakers.
Despite previously dismissing the effort as a “hoax” driven by Democrats, the president ultimately backed the resolution, enabling it to pass the House with a 427-1 vote and receive unanimous approval in the Senate.
The sole opposing vote, from Republican Clay Higgins, expressed concern that releasing certain information could expose innocent individuals who had cooperated with investigators.
Some lawmakers, including Republican Thomas Massie—one of the architects of the bill—warned that new investigations launched by the administration could be used to justify withholding certain files.
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These concerns emerged after Trump suggested additional inquiries into Epstein’s communications with a number of individuals.
Legal experts emphasised that victim protection remains critical. Christine Dunn, an attorney specialising in victims’ rights, welcomed the privacy safeguards included in the legislation, stressing the need to avoid retraumatizing survivors through public exposure.
The renewed push comes after Congress released more than 20,000 pages of Epstein-related estate documents last week.
Those materials included messages from Epstein referencing Trump and other public figures. Though Trump had once been socially connected to Epstein, he has long insisted that their relationship ended in the early 2000s and denies any wrongdoing.
The issue has also widened political rifts. One of the bill’s most vocal champions, Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene, pledged to publicly read any names revealed in the files, even as she remains engaged in disputes with Trump over the release.
The family of Virginia Giuffre—an Epstein survivor who passed away earlier this year—called the bill’s signing “monumental,” urging continued vigilance to ensure all relevant names are disclosed regardless of “power, wealth, or party.”
Epstein died in federal custody in 2019 while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges.
His connections to high-profile individuals in politics, academia and entertainment continue to fuel public scrutiny, with new revelations prompting additional investigations—most recently involving former Harvard president Larry Summers.
