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Trump signs bill ordering US justice department to release Epstein files

November 20, 2025

President Donald Trump signed legislation requiring the Justice Department to release government files related to Jeffrey Epstein within 30 days, marking a reversal from his previous opposition to the measure. The bill passed Congress with overwhelming bipartisan support after pressure from Epstein's victims and Republican lawmakers, including Trump ally Marjorie Taylor Greene. While the law mandates disclosure of investigation materials including victim interviews, seized property records, and flight logs, the Justice Department can withhold documents tied to active criminal investigations or that invade personal privacy.

Who is affected

  • Jeffrey Epstein's victims and survivors, particularly the family of Virginia Giuffre who died by suicide earlier this year
  • Attorney General Pam Bondi, who must oversee the document release
  • Individuals mentioned in Epstein's files, including potential witnesses, associates, and those connected to investigations
  • High-profile figures with ties to Epstein, including Donald Trump, Andrew Mountbatten Windsor, Steve Bannon, and Larry Summers
  • Congressman Clay Higgins' concern about "thousands of innocent people" who spoke to investigators
  • The Justice Department
  • Members of Congress from both parties who pushed for the resolution

What action is being taken

  • The Justice Department has 30 days to publicly share information from federal investigations into Epstein
  • Attorney General Pam Bondi is pursuing investigations into Epstein's ties to people who communicated with him "with urgency and integrity"
  • Harvard University is investigating former president Larry Summers' links to Epstein while he takes a leave from teaching

Why it matters

  • This matters because it represents a significant step toward transparency regarding a major sex trafficking case involving a well-connected financier with ties to powerful figures across politics, business, and entertainment. The release could potentially expose the extent of Epstein's network and reveal which individuals may have been complicit in or aware of his crimes. For victims and survivors, the document release represents long-sought accountability and validation. However, the exceptions allowing the Justice Department to withhold files related to active investigations create concerns that substantial information may still be kept from public view, potentially limiting the full truth from emerging.

What's next

  • The Justice Department must release the Epstein investigation documents within 30 days of Trump's signature
  • Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene has stated she will read aloud on the House floor the name of any powerful person implicated in the released files
  • The Giuffre family and other advocates have indicated they will remain vigilant to ensure all names are revealed regardless of power or political affiliation
  • Harvard's investigation into Larry Summers' links to Epstein is ongoing

Read full article from source: BBC