Congress overwhelmingly passed legislation—named the Epstein Files Transparency Act—requiring the Justice Department to release all unclassified records and investigative materials related to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein within 30 days of enactment. The bipartisan bill cleared the House with a 427–1 vote and advanced through the Senate by unanimous consent before being sent to the president’s desk for signature.
President Donald Trump publicly celebrated the passage of the bill and reaffirmed that he would sign it, framing it as a political “victory” and at times accusing Democrats of inappropriate associations with Epstein. He officially signed the bill into law on November 19, 2025, triggering the countdown for public disclosure of the files—expected by December 19, 2025.
Under the law, the Justice Department must publish the files in a searchable and downloadable format within 30 days of Trump’s signature. While the act bars withholding records simply because they might cause embarrassment or reputational harm, it still permits redactions for privacy reasons, including victims’ personal information and protections for ongoing investigations. Materials depicting child sexual abuse or sensitive victim details cannot be released.
Trump initially resisted federal release of the Epstein files and urged Republican lawmakers to avoid focusing on the issue, but after growing bipartisan pressure—including from Republicans who broke ranks—he reversed his position. The signing represents a rare bipartisan outcome on a controversial topic, though administration figures continue to politicize aspects of the release.
The push for transparency has reignited broader political conflicts. Some Democratic lawmakers are demanding briefings on the Justice Department’s compliance and threatening to block nominations until an update is provided. Meanwhile, Trump’s chief of staff has publicly disputed some claims related to Epstein and political figures, including denying allegations involving former President Bill Clinton—even as related photo material and records have been released by House Democrats.
Public reaction to the bill and Trump’s role is mixed, with polls showing significant skepticism about his handling of the Epstein matter overall, even as support among Republican voters has increased somewhat. Advocates for victims and transparency supporters view the forthcoming release as a major step, while critics worry that political motivations may shape how the records are handled or interpreted.
