U.S. President Donald Trump announced Wednesday night that he has signed a bill obligating his administration to release documents related to Jeffrey Epstein, the convicted financier involved in a widespread sexual trafficking network that sparked one of the country’s biggest scandals.
اضافة اعلان
Trump stated on his platform Truth Social: “I just signed the Epstein files release bill!” while reiterating accusations that his Democratic opponents were hiding the truth.
The bill, passed by Congress on Tuesday, gives the Department of Justice one month to release non-classified documents in its possession regarding Epstein—who was found hanged in his jail cell in 2019 before standing trial for sexual crimes—his partner Ghislaine Maxwell, who is serving a 20-year prison sentence, and all individuals involved in related legal proceedings.
Epstein’s death has fueled numerous conspiracy theories suggesting he was killed to prevent the release of documents potentially embarrassing to prominent figures.
Since promising his supporters to reveal sensational facts during his campaign, Trump has sought to downplay the controversy upon returning to power, describing it as an exaggerated “Democratic hoax,” a stance that has caused tension even within his MAGA movement. On Tuesday, he reiterated that he “has no connection to Jeffrey Epstein,” calling him a “sick pervert.”
Background on Relationship and Legislation
Trump and Epstein were close from the late 1980s until their falling out in the early 2000s, before Epstein faced charges of running a sexual trafficking network involving underage girls. Trump, who faces no charges in the case, had opposed the “Epstein Transparency Act” for months but changed his position over the weekend as it became clear Congress would pass it by a large majority—427 votes in favor and one against in the House.
By signing the bill, Trump initiated a 30-day countdown for the Justice Department to release the documents. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer previously warned against any “manipulation” by Trump, urging immediate compliance with the law.
New Investigations and Oversight
Trump has accused Democrats of wrongdoing and recently requested that Attorney General Pam Bondi and the FBI investigate connections between Epstein and former Democratic President Bill Clinton, as well as former Harvard President and Clinton-era Treasury Secretary Larry Summers.
This order came despite a July memo from the FBI and DOJ concluding there was no evidence to open investigations against figures not previously charged in the Epstein case. When questioned about these new probes, Bondi said Wednesday they were justified by “new information,” without providing further details.
The law allows the DOJ to withhold or limit document release under certain conditions, including protecting victims’ privacy or ongoing federal investigations or trials. Republican Representative Thomas Massie, a bill sponsor critical of Trump, expressed concern that this could be used as a “smokescreen” to block the release of Epstein files. He later clarified on X that, under the law, authorities can only temporarily and narrowly withhold documents due to ongoing investigations.
Bondi affirmed that her department will comply with the law “with maximum transparency, while protecting victims at the same time.”
(AFP)
