President Donald Trump has signed a law directing the Justice Department to make public documents from its long-running investigation into convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The files, highly anticipated by both Trump critics and supporters, are expected to provide further insight into Epstein’s activities and connections.
Epstein, who socialised with Trump and other high-profile individuals before his 2008 conviction for soliciting a minor for prostitution, has remained a source of controversy. The case has weighed on Trump politically, particularly as he has promoted conspiracy theories about Epstein to his base.
Many of his supporters suspect the government covered up Epstein’s links to powerful figures and obscured the circumstances of his death, which was ruled a suicide in a Manhattan jail in 2019 while he faced federal sex trafficking charges.
Until recently, Trump urged Republican lawmakers to oppose the bill, warning that releasing internal Justice Department records could set a damaging precedent for the presidency, according to congressional aides. He reversed his position this week after it became clear the legislation had enough bipartisan support to pass regardless of his stance.
Trump celebrated the signing on social media, claiming the measure would uncover «the truth about certain Democrats and their associations with Jeffrey Epstein». He accused Democrats of exploiting the Epstein scandal to challenge his achievements and distract from Republican policy successes, framing Epstein as a Democratic ally whose connections will now be exposed.
Attorney General Pam Bondi confirmed at a news conference that the Justice Department will release the Epstein-related documents within 30 days, in line with the legislation passed by the Republican-controlled House and Senate.
