Congress Greenlights Release of Epstein Files Amidst Political Tensions

Fri Dec 05 2025 04:55:43 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

In a surprising turn of events, the US Congress has overwhelmingly approved a bill to mandate the release of Jeffrey Epstein's investigative files, compelling President Trump to act.

Both the House of Representatives and the Senate have agreed to push for the release of Jeffrey Epstein's investigative files, following an overwhelming 427-1 vote in the House. Survivors of Epstein's abuse have advocated for transparency, amid political tensions that saw President Trump reversing his stance under pressure. The bill requires the Attorney General to disclose all unclassified documents relating to Epstein within 30 days of passing. The situation highlights rifts within the Republican Party as some lawmakers shift their positions on the controversial release, advocating for justice for Epstein's victims.

Both chambers of US Congress have agreed to order the US justice department to release its files on late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

The House of Representatives overwhelmingly approved the measure in a 427-1 vote. The Senate said it would pass the bill before it officially received it.

President Donald Trump must ultimately sign off the measure, which he has said he will do. He recently reversed his position and urged fellow Republicans to vote to disclose the records, following pushback from many of his supporters.

Earlier on Tuesday, survivors of Epstein spoke in support of the measure at the US Capitol. One of them said they had suffered institutional betrayal for years.

The Epstein files refer to the vast trove of documents that were amassed during criminal investigations into the financier, including transcripts of interviews with victims and witnesses, and items confiscated from raids of his various properties.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune told CNN that he expected the upper chamber to receive the bill from the lower one on Wednesday morning, after which the bill would be passed and then sent to Trump for the presidential signature.

Trump has continued to downplay the timing and has cast the issue as a distraction from other political victories.

Trump's own relationship with Epstein has been scrutinized, especially after more than 20,000 pages of documents were released from Epstein's estate, though they do not indicate wrongdoing by Trump or others referenced.

Many Republican leaders initially opposed the release but shifted their position, voting in support of the bill as survivor advocates emphasized the need for transparency.

Despite the overwhelming support, challenges remain regarding the release of sensitive information, with the bill giving the Attorney General discretion to withhold material that could compromise ongoing investigations or victim identities.

Epstein was found dead in 2019 in what was ruled a suicide while awaiting trial for sex trafficking. His connections to influential figures, including Trump, have fueled ongoing debates surrounding the handling of the investigations into his activities.

The push for transparency has been led by both Republican and Democratic lawmakers, reflecting a broader call for justice from Epstein's survivors.