When will Jeffrey Epstein’s files actually be released?
Despite the bill being passed overwhelmingly in both houses of Congress, questions remain about when the public will be able to see Jeffrey Epstein’s files.
President Donald Trump announced on November 19 that he has signed a bill requiring the Justice Department to release all files related to disgraced financier and indicted sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein.
President Trump made the announcement, claiming that the growing calls for transparency about Epstein’s relationships with the rich and powerful, including the president himself, are the “latest hoax” (sic) created by Democrats. He pointed to prominent Democrats with ties to Epstein, who died by suicide in 2019, including former President Bill Clinton and former Treasury Secretary Larry Summers.
After President Trump’s initial opposition to the bill prompted a backlash from members of his own party, particularly Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, Democratic Rep. Ro Khanna and Republican Rep. Thomas Massie supported the bill.
The House passed the Epstein File Transparency Act by a vote of 427-1. About three hours later, the Senate followed suit, with Minority Leader Chuck Schumer of New York introducing a motion seeking unanimous consent.
Here’s what you need to know about when the Epstein files will be made public.
Now that Trump has signed the Epstein Files bill, what will happen next?
It’s unclear exactly when the Justice Department will release the documents.
The bill would authorize the Justice Department to release “all unclassified records, documents, communications, and investigative materials” obtained from the investigation into Epstein within 30 days. Files must be published in a “searchable and downloadable format.”
The bill would allow certain information to be kept private, including the victim’s identity, “child sexual material” and anything that could jeopardize an ongoing investigation. Attorney General Pam Bondi is being asked to provide Congress with a summary of the edits made and the legal justification for withholding the information.
“We will continue to follow the law with the utmost transparency while protecting victims,” Bondi said on Nov. 19.
Days before calling on House Republicans to vote to release the Epstein files, President Trump ordered the Justice Department to launch an investigation into Democrats with ties to Epstein. Ty Cobb, who served as White House counsel during Trump’s first term, said in an interview with CNN that he believes Bondi will cite the ongoing investigation as a reason for not releasing the files.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune said on November 19 that the “clear intention” of both chambers was to “get the information out” after both chambers voted overwhelmingly in favor of the bill.
Contributors: Melina Khan and Joey Garrison, USA TODAY
