The US Congress has passed legislation directing the Department of Justice to release its investigative files on the late financier Jeffrey Epstein, sending the bill to President Donald Trump for signature. The House of Representatives approved the measure 427-1, and the Senate quickly cleared it through unanimous consent, bypassing debate.
Trump said he will sign the bill, reversing his earlier opposition. Over the weekend, he had criticised the push for disclosure but later urged Republicans to support transparency, insisting he had “nothing to hide” while framing the files as a distraction from other priorities.
The files include documents from federal criminal investigations, witness interviews, and materials seized from Epstein’s properties. Attorney General Pam Bondi is tasked with releasing the records but may withhold information that could compromise ongoing investigations or reveal victims’ identities.
Survivors of Epstein expressed support for the legislation, citing years of “institutional betrayal.” Sky Roberts, brother of the late Epstein accuser Virginia Giuffre, praised her role in paving the way for other survivors to seek justice, saying her advocacy inspired others to come forward.
Epstein died in a New York prison cell in 2019, a death ruled a suicide. He had previously been convicted in 2008 of soliciting prostitution from a minor and faced federal sex-trafficking charges at the time of his death. His associate Ghislaine Maxwell is serving a 20-year sentence for her role in his crimes.
The release of the files coincides with renewed public attention on Epstein’s connections to prominent figures, including Trump. Congressional releases last week included emails referencing Trump and others, though the documents do not suggest any wrongdoing. Trump has repeatedly said he severed ties with Epstein years before Epstein’s 2008 conviction and claims he was unaware of the financier’s criminal activity.
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Republican support for the bill surprised some lawmakers. House Speaker Mike Johnson, who had previously dismissed the release as a “Democrat hoax,” voted in favor. Only Representative Clay Higgins of Louisiana opposed it, citing concerns that innocent people could be harmed by the disclosure.
The bill mandates that all unclassified records related to Epstein and Maxwell—including communications, flight logs, and investigative materials—be released within 30 days of enactment. The legislation is being seen as a step toward accountability for Epstein’s victims and a rare instance of bipartisan consensus in Congress.
