This week, U.S. President Donald Trump stunned audiences by signing the long-delayed Epstein Files Transparency Act into law. Announced on his Truth Social account on Wednesday night, November 19, the new legislation orders the Department of Justice (DOJ) to publish a trove of unclassified files related to late financier Jeffrey Epstein.
The bill sailed through the House on November 18 with overwhelming bipartisan support and cleared the Senate on November 19 by unanimous consent. Originally introduced in mid-July, the legislation had languished as Republican leaders, including House Speaker Mike Johnson, delayed its progress for months.
A bipartisan discharge petition led by Democratic Representative Ro Khanna and Republican Representative Thomas Massie forced the issue back onto the floor. On November 12—the first day the House reconvened after a 54-day recess—the petition hit the 218-signature threshold needed to bring the text to a vote.
Under the Epstein Files Transparency Act, the DOJ must publish all unclassified records, documents, communications, and investigative materials in its possession related to Epstein's investigation and prosecution. That includes:
- Case files involving Epstein's alleged co-conspirator Ghislaine Maxwell
- Flight logs and travel records
- Names of individuals referenced in connection with the investigation
The DOJ retains discretion to withhold sensitive details—such as personally identifiable information of victims or materials that could jeopardize active probes.
When he announced the signing, President Trump linked the move to recent document releases by the House Oversight Committee. Last week, Democrats shared files tied to Trump's own interactions with Epstein. Republicans countered by releasing a larger batch, accusing the opposing party of cherry-picking evidence.
Trump's Truth Social post also directed the DOJ to open investigations into high-profile Democrats who loomed large in Epstein's orbit, including former President Bill Clinton, ex-Treasury Secretary Larry Summers, and tech figure Reid Hoffman. Critics say the maneuver is politically motivated, designed to balance yesterday's revelations.
Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer shot back on Tuesday night, saying the bill is about giving Americans the transparency they've been demanding and holding Epstein's circle accountable for years of abuse.
As the unclassified files start to go online in the coming days, global citizens will be watching to see whether this landmark transparency effort uncovers new insights or simply reshapes a familiar narrative.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
