The U.S. Congress has overwhelmingly approved legislation compelling the Department of Justice to release its investigative files on Jeffrey Epstein, delivering a rare defeat to President Donald Trump, who had tried vigorously to halt the bill.
Although the Epstein Files Transparency Act now awaits Trump’s signature, full disclosure remains uncertain. The legislation contains a provision allowing the DOJ to withhold or redact records if releasing them would interfere with an active investigation — a loophole the department could still invoke. Trump recently ordered Attorney General Pam Bondi to launch a new inquiry into Epstein’s connections to three prominent Democrats: Bill Clinton, Larry Summers and Reid Hoffman.
The bill’s passage represents an unusual political alignment. Democrats joined forces with members of the Republican Party’s far-right flank against the President’s objections. Until the final days, Trump had worked to block the legislation, but he and House Speaker Mike Johnson reversed course when it became clear the measure would pass regardless.
Trump previously had close ties to Epstein, though their relationship deteriorated before Epstein’s first arrest in 2006. Public pressure to release the files intensified last week after newly disclosed emails from Epstein’s estate included claims that Trump “knew about the girls.” Trump denies any knowledge of Epstein’s crimes.
The bill passed the House of Representatives 427–1, with only Louisiana Republican Clay Higgins voting against it, citing concerns about exposing innocent witnesses despite protections built into the bill. Hours later, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer used unanimous consent to fast-track the measure through the Senate, preventing any delay.
Republican co-sponsor Thomas Massie — often a lone dissenter in the GOP caucus — said the bill marks a long overdue step toward justice and transparency. Democrat Jamie Raskin urged Trump to release the files immediately rather than waiting for the law to take effect. Republican Jim Jordan countered by accusing Democrats of acting only now to target Trump, noting they had not pushed for disclosure during the Biden presidency.
The Trump administration’s efforts to stop the bill included attempts to persuade conservative lawmakers to withdraw their support. Trump personally pressured Lauren Boebert in a White House Situation Room meeting and publicly broke with Marjorie Taylor Greene over her backing of the bill, calling for a primary challenger to run against her. Greene later said the fight had “ripped MAGA apart.”
Victims also called on the President directly. At a Capitol Hill news conference, survivor Jena-Lisa Jones pleaded with Trump to stop politicizing the case and support the release of the files.
Documents from Epstein’s estate released last week showed he had claimed Trump “knew about the girls” and spent time with one of his victims. A 2003 birthday note from Trump to Epstein was also provided, referencing a “wonderful secret” — a message Trump denies writing.
Epstein died in jail in 2019, with authorities ruling his death a suicide, though conspiracy theories persist. Trump himself has been accused of sexual misconduct by more than 20 women, allegations he denies. In 2023, he was found liable in civil court for sexually abusing writer E. Jean Carroll.
