30 days noticeTrump signs: Epstein files will be released
Shortly after the US Congress passed the relevant law, the US President also gave the green light for the release of the Epstein case investigation files. But some can still be kept secret.
He has long resisted, but now US President Donald Trump has bowed to pressure from the US Parliament: Republicans signed a bill to release investigative files in the case of the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. He announced this on his Truth Social platform – after the House of Representatives and Senate approved the bill the day before. The Ministry of Justice was supposed to publish the document within 30 days. However, critics doubt whether it will actually provide the enlightenment many Americans hope for.
New York financier Epstein was part of high society for many years and had a network in influential circles. The multimillionaire ran a harassment network. Many young women, including minors, became victims. Epstein also attacked them himself. Nearly 20 years ago, the case went to trial and Epstein pleaded guilty to certain charges. Years later, the case was reopened and the multimillionaire was arrested again. Even before the possibility of further verdicts being made, the financier died in his prison cell in 2019 at the age of 66. The autopsy report listed suicide as the cause of death.
Epstein’s sudden death and his varied contacts with the world of the rich and powerful fueled speculation about the possible involvement of influential circles. Trump also spent time with Epstein, as video of the party shows.
What is next?
The law requires the Justice Department to release declassified Epstein files no later than 30 days after it becomes effective. This will happen no later than mid-December. The focus is on documents from the US Department of Justice, the attorney general’s office and the FBI, which document the investigation into Epstein and contain information about his arrest. Also in focus: files on Epstein’s former confidant and accomplice, Ghislaine Maxwell. He was convicted in the scandal and is in prison. There are also flight records from Epstein’s private jet with passenger lists and documents from companies, non-profit organizations and government agencies that may have connections to Epstein.
Victims and politicians hope this publication will provide more answers and insight into the systematic abuse. Republican Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene recently declared: “I want to see every name made public so these women no longer have to live in fear and intimidation.” In addition to greater transparency, victims’ main concerns will finally be taken seriously.
Will this reveal the full extent of the Epstein scandal?
Critics doubt this. The law gives Trump’s Justice Department special privileges. Information may be withheld or suppressed, “such as personal information about victims and material that would compromise ongoing federal investigations.” Content that endangers national security and is classified as confidential is not required to be published.
The Department of Justice began a new investigation a few days ago. Trump has previously asked the Justice Department to investigate Epstein’s connections and relationships, including with former Democratic US President Bill Clinton, other people and companies. This could mean that some files need not be released as a result of this investigation.
Several documents and information have been published. In early September, for example, a parliamentary committee published a collection of documents containing more than 33,000 pages. The Department of Justice provided the files. However, Democrats criticized the fact that most of the documents were already known.
A parliamentary committee is also currently examining Epstein’s assets. Members of Congress have recently obtained documents from him several times. published. The Democratic Party recently published excerpts of emails that include Trump by name. This sparked new speculation about whether and how much Republicans knew about Epstein’s crimes.
What’s at stake for Trump?
Due to Epstein’s extensive contacts with American high society, there has been much speculation regarding the possible involvement of influential circles in the abuse scandal. Speculation regarding Trump’s specific involvement in the case has repeatedly surfaced in the past. In early September, for example, Democrats posted a copy of a birthday greeting that Trump allegedly sent to Epstein more than 20 years ago. Republicans vehemently deny being the author of the letter.
The US government is trying its best to distance Trump from the Epstein issue. The president often responds harshly to journalists’ questions – he assumes that the media is using fake news to downplay his success. When it became clear that there would be agreement in Parliament, Trump changed course. By doing this, he prevented his own party from breaking its promise, which would embarrass it.
Why does the urge come now?
Before his election victory in November 2024, Trump promised to fully disclose Epstein’s archive. Since taking office in January, he has not kept his promises, which is why pressure on Trump has increased – including within his own party. In addition to many Democrats and Epstein’s victims, several Republicans have also recently called for the release of all documents and full transparency. If Republicans continue to block themselves, they risk being punished by voters in the 2026 congressional elections.
Critics complain that the publication of investigative files now has to go through the legislative process. Trump could have ordered the release that way, they complained. This would speed up the process significantly and make votes in both houses of Congress – the House of Representatives and the Senate – unnecessary.
