The pressure on the US President became so great that Donald Trump allowed the publication of case files that he could not get rid of. What it means for the case and him personally.
He has long denied this, but now US President Donald Trump has bowed to pressure from the US Parliament and signed a law releasing investigative files into the case of the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Republicans announced this on the Truth Social platform – after the House of Representatives and Senate previously approved the bill. 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.
What is the Epstein case about?
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. Revelations of the abuse scandal also battered the reputation of Britain’s Prince Andrew, who remained in contact with Epstein and recently had to relinquish his royal titles.
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.
Flight log of Epstein’s private jet with passenger list.
Documents related to companies, non-profit organizations and government entities that may have had ties to Epstein.
Information about possible destruction of documents.
The exact proof of Epstein’s death.
What hope does this release provide?
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 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?
Experts doubt this. The law gives Trump’s Justice Department special privileges. Information may be classified or classified, “such as personal information about victims and material that could harm 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 US President Bill Clinton, other people and companies. According to critics, this could mean that some files need not be released as a result of this investigation.
Has any of the information been published before?
Excerpts of documents and information related to this matter 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 published documents to this effect several times. 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 has emerged repeatedly 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. The Republican member denied 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 so, he prevented his own party, the Republican Party, from opposing his words, which would have embarrassed him.
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.
pacing/dpa
