Newly released Epstein files raise new questions
The latest trove of documents about Epstein is raising new questions about his relationship with President Donald Trump.
The House of Representatives is scheduled to vote on November 18 on a bill that would force the Justice Department to release more files related to convicted sex offender and sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein.
This comes less than a week after Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson bowed to mounting pressure to schedule a vote after a bipartisan group of lawmakers used a vague petition to bypass House leadership opposition and avoid bringing the issue to the floor.
The bill in question, the Epstein File Transparency Act, has caused turmoil within the president’s party as several Republicans openly support many Democrats who are pushing for passage of the bill. One of the most vocal advocates is Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, whose support for releasing the Epstein files has contributed to her public feud with President Donald Trump.
Lawmakers supporting the bill saw a new focus on the disgraced financier after House Democrats released thousands of emails from Epstein on Nov. 12. Some of the bombshell messages that mentioned Trump included emails from Epstein in which Trump allegedly “spent hours at my house” with the victims and “knew the girls.”
After months of calling the Epstein investigation a “hoax” and a Democratic “trap,” President Trump reversed course on November 16, calling on House Republicans to vote for full release of the files.
But even if it passes the House, the bill must pass the Senate and be signed by the president to take effect.
This is exactly what the bill’s supporters want made public.
What will the House vote on regarding the Epstein file?
The Epstein File Transparency Act would require the Department of Justice to release all unclassified records, documents, communications, and investigative materials related to the investigation and prosecution of Epstein.
Personal information about the alleged victim will not be made public in the agency’s release, as will any information that could impede the progress of a federal investigation. The Justice Department would be required to report to Congress, justifying the reasons for withholding or redacting information.
What is subject to disclosure under the Epstein File Transparency Act?
Under the House proposal, Attorney General Pam Bondi would have 30 days after the law passes to release all unclassified materials related to convicted sex offenders.
This includes all material relevant to the investigation, prosecution, or detention matters relating to Epstein and his associate Ghislaine Maxwell, including flight and travel records and individuals named or mentioned in the investigation. The bill specifies that the names of government employees may be made public.
The law also requires the Justice Department to release the names of all corporate, non-profit, academic and government entities known or suspected of having ties to Epstein’s human trafficking and financial networks, and to release files related to his 2019 suicide in prison awaiting trial. Internal Justice Department communications regarding decisions to indict, not indict, investigate, or decline to investigate Epstein and his associates would also be made public under the House law.
Kathryn Palmer is USA TODAY’s political reporter. She can be reached at the following address: kapalmer@usatoday.com And to X@Kathryn Purml.
