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.
Perhaps the truth about these Democrats, and their associations with Jeffrey Epstein, will soon be revealed, because I HAVE JUST SIGNED THE BILL TO RELEASE THE EPSTEIN FILES! he wrote.
Although a congressional vote was not required to release the files - Trump could have ordered the release on his own - lawmakers in the House passed the legislation with a 427-1 vote. The Senate gave unanimous consent to pass it upon its arrival, sending the bill to Trump for his signature.
The lone vote against the resolution in the House was cast by Louisiana Republican Clay Higgins, who objected to the scope of information that could be released. He said it could reveal and threaten thousands of innocent people who may have talked to investigators about allegations against Epstein.
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, there are exceptions. The resolution allows the justice department to withhold any documents related to criminal investigations, raising concerns among some lawmakers that the move may lead to critical files being kept from the public.
One of the bill's architects, Republican Congressman Thomas Massie, expressed worries that investigations could provide grounds for not releasing documents. Critics also fear that redactions may prevent a full understanding of Epstein's network.
Trump has previously pledged to make the Epstein files public, and this latest signing has prompted responses from victims' families who view it as a monumental step forward in their quest for transparency.
Epstein was found dead in 2019 in a New York prison cell. He was facing serious charges of sex trafficking and had already been convicted of soliciting prostitution from a minor in 2008.
