Trump Says He Signed Epstein Files Transparency Act, Directing DOJ to Release Unclassified Records

President Donald Trump says he has signed legislation that compels the Justice Department to release unclassified files connected to the investigation and prosecution of late financier Jeffrey Epstein, a convicted s** offender and alleged s** trafficker.

In a Truth Social post on Wednesday, Nov. 19, Trump announced, “I have just signed the bill to release the Epstein files,” and attacked Democrats in the same message, adding, “This latest Hoax will backfire on the Democrats just as all of the rest have!”

The signing follows swift congressional action a day earlier. On Tuesday, Nov. 18, the House approved the measure in an overwhelming 427–1 vote. The Senate then unanimously agreed to send the bill to the White House. Rep. Clay Higgins of Louisiana was the lone “no” vote in the House.

The push to make the Epstein files public has been building for months, with lawmakers from both parties urging release. Among the most vocal supporters has been Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia, who has recently intensified her public calls for transparency.

According to an official House summary, the law requires the Justice Department to publish “all unclassified records, documents, communications, and investigative materials in DOJ’s possession that relate to the investigation and prosecution of Jeffrey Epstein.”

However, the measure allows the department to withhold or redact materials that are classified, would identify victims, or could interfere with an ongoing federal investigation. At the same time, it says information cannot be kept secret solely to avoid “embarrassment, reputational harm, or political sensitivity,” including for officials, public figures, or foreign dignitaries.

The Justice Department has previously argued that some Epstein-related documents were withheld because they contain images of victims and child s** abuse material. Other records were sealed by a court to prevent exposing additional third parties to allegations of wrongdoing, The New York Times reported.

When the material is released, it is expected to include records involving Epstein associate Ghislaine Maxwell, along with flight logs, travel documents, and references to individuals named in connection with the investigation, including government officials, per the bill summary.

The timeline for disclosure is still uncertain. The Justice Department has 30 days to comply. Attorney General Pam Bondi said on Nov. 19 that she intends to meet that deadline, telling reporters, “We will continue to follow the law, again, while protecting victims, but also providing maximum transparency.”

Trump’s signature marks a shift from his earlier stance. He has long sought to distance himself from Epstein and previously criticized congressional focus on unsealing additional files. But with the bill headed for passage, Trump publicly backed it in the final days before the vote.

In a Truth Social post on Sunday, Nov. 16, he said he supported release because “we have nothing to hide, and it’s time to move on from this Democrat Hoax.”