The U.S. Congress has approved legislation to release all documents related to the Jeffrey Epstein investigations, with President Donald Trump poised to sign the bill into law, potentially unveiling new details about the scandal that has implicated numerous high-profile figures.
The House of Representatives and Senate passed the bill on November 18, 2025, with overwhelming support, following a discharge petition that forced the vote. The legislation mandates the Justice Department to release Epstein-related files within 30 days, though it allows for redactions to protect victims’ identities and ongoing investigations. This move comes after months of pressure from various quarters, including Trump’s own supporters, for greater transparency.
Jeffrey Epstein, a convicted sex offender, died in prison in 2019 while awaiting trial on charges of trafficking minors for sex. The files include evidence from federal and state investigations, such as interview transcripts, confiscated items, and over 300 gigabytes of data. Some of this material contains child abuse imagery that will not be made public to avoid further victimization.
The push for releasing the files gained momentum recently, with Trump reversing his earlier stance and urging Republicans to support the bill. Previously, the administration had resisted, but growing concerns within the party about the scandal’s political impact led to this legislative action. Some Republicans fear that new investigations could be opened to delay the release.
Several high-profile individuals have been named in already released documents, including former President Bill Clinton, Prince Andrew, Elon Musk, and Larry Summers. Summers, a former Harvard president and Treasury Secretary, announced he would step back from public commitments after his communications with Epstein were revealed in the latest email batch released on November 12.
Trump’s past relationship with Epstein has been a focal point, with records indicating they were friends in the 1990s, shared social circles, and Trump flew on Epstein’s plane. Trump has denied any misconduct and stated that they fell out years before Epstein’s first arrest, with the White House suggesting Epstein was kicked out of Trump’s club for inappropriate behavior.
The full release of the files could address unanswered questions about Epstein’s initial lenient plea deal in Florida, whether he and his associate Ghislaine Maxwell acted alone, and the circumstances of his death in prison. It may also have significant political ramifications, potentially affecting Trump’s presidency and public perception of elite impunity.
Moving forward, once Trump signs the bill, Attorney General Pam Bondi is required to release the documents within 30 days, but she has discretion to redact information that could invade privacy or jeopardize investigations. This process is expected to bring new insights into one of the most notorious scandals in recent memory.
