Congress moved swiftly this week to compel the Justice Department to release the long-shielded Jeffrey Epstein investigative files, sending a bipartisan bill to President Donald Trump as pressure mounts over the scope of federal records tied to Epstein, Ghislaine Maxwell, and individuals named throughout the probes. The Senate, acting with unanimous consent, agreed to approve the House-passed legislation as soon as it formally arrives Wednesday morning, clearing the path for Trump-who has said, "I'm all for it"-to sign the measure into law.
The bill requires Attorney General Pam Bondi to release "all unclassified records, documents, communications and investigative materials" in the Justice Department's possession within 30 days of enactment. The mandate covers files related to Epstein's "criminal activities, civil settlements, immunity, plea agreements or investigatory proceedings," while excluding victims' names and any materials depicting child sex abuse. A senior White House official told ABC News the measure will "be signed whenever it gets to the White House."
On Tuesday, the House overwhelmingly advanced the bill in a 427-1 vote, accelerating Senate action that earlier had been expected to take days. Senate Majority Leader John Thune told CNN he anticipated receiving the bill Wednesday morning, after which it would be passed and sent to Trump. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer then brought it to the floor under unanimous consent, ensuring no amendments.
Survivors of Epstein's abuse gathered at the Capitol as the Senate moved to approve the measure. The group broke into "loud cheers, claps and smiles" after Democratic Rep. Teresa Leger Fernandez announced from the podium that the upper chamber had acted. Epstein survivor Annie Farmer said continued withholding of the records constituted "institutional betrayal," adding, "Because these crimes were not properly investigated, so many more girls and women were harmed."
The vote came days after Trump reversed course and urged Republicans to support disclosure, shifting from earlier attacks on lawmakers seeking transparency. In a Tuesday afternoon post on his platform, Trump wrote, "I just don't want Republicans to take their eyes off all of the Victories that we've had," listing what he described as achievements across immigration, inflation, military spending and deregulation. He also said he did not "care when the Senate passes the House Bill, whether tonight, or at some other time in the near future."
Some House Republicans had previously aligned with Trump's earlier opposition. Speaker Mike Johnson repeatedly called the push for release a "Democrat hoax" before voting in favor of the measure. Rep. Clay Higgins cited concern about "innocent people being hurt" but ultimately supported disclosure.
Even with legislative backing, significant barriers remain. DOJ sources told ABC News it is unlikely the department would release the full file. Items tied to ongoing investigations or protected by executive privilege may remain sealed. Bondi's renewed probe-announced Friday just hours after Trump ordered her to act-could give the department grounds to withhold documents on the basis of investigative sensitivity.
Trump's own interactions with Epstein have resurfaced in recent coverage. Newly released estate documents reference Trump among many high-profile figures but include "no indication of wrongdoing." In one 2011 email published by House Democrats, Epstein wrote to Maxwell: "I want you to realize that that dog that hasn't barked is Trump.. [VICTIM] spent hours at my house with him." The White House said last week that the referenced victim was Virginia Giuffre and emphasized she had said she "never saw Trump participate in any abuse."
Giuffre, who died in April, remained a central figure in efforts to hold Epstein accountable. Her brother Sky Roberts praised her advocacy, saying, "She did it, she paved the way... She paved the way for us to come forward as advocates, for her survivor sisters to come forward, and we won't stop."
The bipartisan push was spearheaded by Republican Thomas Massie and Democrat Ro Khanna. Massie defended his stance despite criticism from Trump, telling ABC News, "In 2030, he's not going to be the president," and arguing that Republicans voting against release "will have voted to protect paedophiles." Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, once a Trump ally, echoed survivor demands, saying, "Let me tell you what a traitor is. A traitor is an American that serves foreign countries and themselves."
