The United States is preparing for the public release of major records linked to the Jeffrey Epstein case after President Donald Trump signed new legislation on Wednesday. The move follows months of pressure from victims, lawmakers, and transparency advocates who demanded full access to government-held Epstein documents.
The Epstein Files Transparency Act requires the Justice Department to release all unclassified files from the Epstein investigation within 30 days. These documents must be searchable, easy to download, and accessible to the public. The law passed Congress with near-unanimous support, showing rare bipartisan agreement on the need for transparency.
Under the new rules, officials can still withhold certain sensitive information. This includes evidence involving child exploitation, details that may reveal victims’ identities, information linked to active investigations, or materials that could affect national security. However, the law makes it clear that files cannot be held back to protect anyone from embarrassment or political damage, even if powerful individuals are involved.
Trump, who previously opposed releasing the files, changed his stance after criticism from Epstein’s victims and members of his own party. He used the announcement to argue that the disclosures could politically harm Democrats, pointing to Epstein’s connections with several Democratic figures. Trump claimed that Republicans had no ties to Epstein, presenting the issue as a political dividing line.
Earlier in the month, around 20,000 pages of Epstein-related documents were made public, including messages in which Epstein mentioned Trump. A judge has said that roughly 100,000 more pages still remain sealed. Even with the new law, officials may choose to keep certain documents hidden if they are considered sensitive.
Some lawmakers and victims’ advocates are cautious, questioning whether the release will be complete or selective. Senator Adam Schiff expressed doubts, warning that political influence could still shape what is ultimately made public.
The decision has renewed public interest in Epstein’s network and connections across politics, finance, and entertainment. Many will now be watching closely to see how much information becomes available and whether the release will bring long-awaited clarity to one of the most controversial cases in recent American history.
