The words 'Epstein files' have been haunting the administration of US President Donald Trump for months as it grapples with a growing crisis over the crimes of late convicted sex offender and financier Jeffrey Epstein. Pressure was building from Trump's own supporters and from voices within his own Republican Party for more transparency on what the federal investigations into Epstein uncovered.
After weeks of resisting release, Trump reversed course and urged Republicans to vote to open the Epstein files to public scrutiny. Both chambers of Congress - the legislative branch of US government - approved a measure that compels the US justice department to release all files pertaining to its investigation into Epstein. The following day, Trump announced in a social media post that he had signed a bill that approved the release of the files.
Now, the justice department has 30 days to release all the files - except for those that relate to an active criminal investigation, identify victims of Epstein's abuse or invade their privacy, or contain images of physical and child sex abuse, death, or injury.
In 2008, Epstein reached a plea deal with prosecutors after the parents of a 14-year-old girl told police in Florida that Epstein had molested their daughter at his Palm Beach home. Photos of girls were found throughout the house, and he was convicted of soliciting prostitution from a minor, for which he was registered as a sex offender. He escaped a heavy jail sentence as a result of the deal.
Eleven years later, he was charged with running a network of underage girls for sex. He died in prison while awaiting trial and his death was ruled a suicide. These two criminal investigations amassed a vast trove of documents including transcripts of interviews with victims and witnesses, and items confiscated from raids on his various properties.
The US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) found over 300 gigabytes of data and physical evidence in its databases, hard drives, and other storage, according to a 2025 memo from the justice department. While some of the files likely include materials gathered by prosecutors working at federal level and Florida state level to investigate Epstein, the justice department says there is a 'large volume' of images and videos of victims and other illegal child abuse material. These files would not be released to the public, as the latest legislation passed by Congress allows the justice department to withhold information that identifies victims.
The vote in the House of Representatives was forced by a discharge petition getting its critical 218th signature to trigger action on the floor. Four Republicans and all 214 Democrats in the House signed the petition. The vote to release the files took place on 18 November and the bill passed 427-to-1 in the House. Republican lawmaker Clay Higgins of Louisiana was the sole no vote. A handful of legislators did not vote.
Once the bill passed in the lower chamber of Congress, it swiftly moved to the Senate where it passed via unanimous consent - a procedure that speeds up the legislative process if there is no objection. It was then signed off by Trump. However, Attorney General Pam Bondi will be required to release all materials and documents related to Epstein and Maxwell within 30 days of the law being enacted, but has the power to withhold any information that could jeopardize a federal investigation or identify Epstein's victims.
After weeks of resisting release, Trump reversed course and urged Republicans to vote to open the Epstein files to public scrutiny. Both chambers of Congress - the legislative branch of US government - approved a measure that compels the US justice department to release all files pertaining to its investigation into Epstein. The following day, Trump announced in a social media post that he had signed a bill that approved the release of the files.
Now, the justice department has 30 days to release all the files - except for those that relate to an active criminal investigation, identify victims of Epstein's abuse or invade their privacy, or contain images of physical and child sex abuse, death, or injury.
In 2008, Epstein reached a plea deal with prosecutors after the parents of a 14-year-old girl told police in Florida that Epstein had molested their daughter at his Palm Beach home. Photos of girls were found throughout the house, and he was convicted of soliciting prostitution from a minor, for which he was registered as a sex offender. He escaped a heavy jail sentence as a result of the deal.
Eleven years later, he was charged with running a network of underage girls for sex. He died in prison while awaiting trial and his death was ruled a suicide. These two criminal investigations amassed a vast trove of documents including transcripts of interviews with victims and witnesses, and items confiscated from raids on his various properties.
The US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) found over 300 gigabytes of data and physical evidence in its databases, hard drives, and other storage, according to a 2025 memo from the justice department. While some of the files likely include materials gathered by prosecutors working at federal level and Florida state level to investigate Epstein, the justice department says there is a 'large volume' of images and videos of victims and other illegal child abuse material. These files would not be released to the public, as the latest legislation passed by Congress allows the justice department to withhold information that identifies victims.
The vote in the House of Representatives was forced by a discharge petition getting its critical 218th signature to trigger action on the floor. Four Republicans and all 214 Democrats in the House signed the petition. The vote to release the files took place on 18 November and the bill passed 427-to-1 in the House. Republican lawmaker Clay Higgins of Louisiana was the sole no vote. A handful of legislators did not vote.
Once the bill passed in the lower chamber of Congress, it swiftly moved to the Senate where it passed via unanimous consent - a procedure that speeds up the legislative process if there is no objection. It was then signed off by Trump. However, Attorney General Pam Bondi will be required to release all materials and documents related to Epstein and Maxwell within 30 days of the law being enacted, but has the power to withhold any information that could jeopardize a federal investigation or identify Epstein's victims.
