President Donald Trump on Tuesday hailed the congressional passage of a bipartisan bill requiring the release of long-sealed Jeffrey Epstein files, describing the legislation as a “Great Big Beautiful Bill” and celebrating it as part of a series of Republican victories. In a statement posted to Truth Social, Trump emphasized that he intended to sign the measure and framed the moment as a political win for his party, stating that Republicans should remain focused on their legislative accomplishments. The president’s remarks followed an overwhelming vote in the House and preceded the Senate’s approval, signaling that the Justice Department would soon be compelled to make previously restricted materials public.
The legislation mandates that the Justice Department disclose all non-classified documents relating to Epstein within 30 days of Trump’s signature. These materials include investigative files, correspondence, and evidence logs, although portions containing sensitive details about victims will be redacted. The bill emerged as a bipartisan effort after partial communications released earlier in the month by House Democrats triggered controversy, including references to Trump himself. White House officials characterized the Democratic disclosures as “selective leaks” intended to damage the former president, while asserting that Trump had no involvement in Epstein’s criminal activities. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt emphasized that Trump had distanced himself from Epstein decades ago.
Trump’s support for the bill was pivotal in securing its passage after initial hesitation among some Republican leaders. Speaker Mike Johnson reportedly attempted last-minute revisions and even considered urging a veto, but key GOP members broke ranks to advance the legislation alongside Democrats. Trump framed the measure as politically disadvantageous for Democrats, asserting, “The Democrats were Epstein’s friends — all of them. And it’s a hoax, the whole thing is a hoax. But I’ll sign it, and I think it’s going to be much worse for the Democrats than for anyone else.” His endorsement helped unite Republican support, ensuring that the bill moved smoothly through Congress.
The Senate’s final approval coincided with heightened attention on Virgin Islands Delegate Stacey Plaskett, whose communications with Epstein had surfaced in the newly released records. Plaskett, a former House impeachment manager, confirmed in a CNN interview that she had exchanged messages with Epstein during a 2019 congressional hearing, framing her interactions as part of an effort to “get information to get at the truth.” House Republicans moved to censure her and remove her from the Intelligence Committee, but the measure narrowly failed, 214–209. Her involvement highlighted the broader scrutiny of politicians’ historical connections to Epstein and underscored the political stakes surrounding the release of the files.
Legal experts and congressional aides noted the unusual bipartisan alignment in support of the bill, with both progressive Democrats and populist Republicans emphasizing transparency, accountability, and public access to information about a case that has long symbolized elite impunity. A senior GOP aide described the legislation as a historic corrective measure, stating, “This bill cuts through decades of secrecy. It’s about time the American people see what really happened and who was involved.” By compelling disclosure of investigative and financial records, as well as communications between Epstein and his network of associates, the bill is expected to shed light on the scope of Epstein’s relationships across politics, business, and entertainment.
Once Trump signs the legislation, expected within days, the Justice Department will have a 30-day window to begin releasing the unclassified records. Officials indicated that the disclosure will provide the public with unprecedented access to previously hidden files, offering insight into Epstein’s operations, his financial dealings, and his connections to prominent figures. Legal observers and political analysts suggested that the release could generate new scrutiny of individuals implicated in the documents, while providing long-awaited transparency to a case that has remained shrouded in secrecy since Epstein’s 2019 arrest and subsequent death in federal custody. The legislation, therefore, represents both a political victory and a historic step toward illuminating a high-profile network of influence.
