US President Donald Trump has signed a bill ordering the justice department to release all its files from its investigation into convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein.
The legislation, which calls for the release of the files 'in a searchable and downloadable format' within 30 days, was approved overwhelmingly in both chambers of Congress, the House of Representatives and Senate, on Tuesday.
Trump then announced on his Truth Social platform that he had signed it on Wednesday, starting the clock on release of the files.
Under pressure from Epstein's victims and rank-and-file Republicans, Trump on Sunday made a major reversal in his stance on the files and gave his blessing to passing the legislation. For months, he had resisted unsealing many documents from the federal investigation into the late financier.
Congress' lower chamber began debating the measure on Tuesday morning and voted within hours. Several of Epstein's victims spent the day on Capitol Hill advocating for the bill's passage.
Nearly all House lawmakers voted in favour of the resolution, which passed 427-1. Clay Higgins, a Louisiana Republican, was the only one who voted against the bill. The Senate then passed the resolution.
The House Oversight Committee has already made public thousands of documents from the Epstein estate relating to the late financier, but the resolution covers material currently in the possession of the justice department.
Those records could include files about imprisoned Epstein co-conspirator Ghislaine Maxwell, figures mentioned in the case, and internal justice department documents.
When did Trump sign the bill?
On Wednesday morning, the Senate confirmed that it had passed the Epstein bill and sent it to Trump.
Later that evening, Trump posted on social media that he had signed it into law.
While the press and others are often invited to witness Trump's bill-signings, this was done out of public view. 'Perhaps the truth about these Democrats, and their associations with Jeffrey Epstein, will soon be revealed, because I HAVE JUST SIGNED THE BILL TO RELEASE THE EPSTEIN FILES!' he wrote.
When will the Epstein files be released?
The justice department now has 30 days to release its materials on Epstein, but potential delays loom.
The House bill stated that the justice department can withhold any documents that 'jeopardise an active federal investigation or ongoing prosecution.' This could complicate transparency, particularly regarding Trump's inquiries into Epstein's links with prominent Democrats.
For those campaigning for the release of the files, anything less than full disclosure could lead to outrage. Several Republican lawmakers have expressed worries that the investigations begun by Trump may delay the release of the files.
Will the files be redacted?
Alongside potential delays, substantial redactions are expected in any released documents.
The House Oversight Committee's recent tranche of documents had many names and phone numbers blacked out to protect privacy, and the current bill allows the attorney general to redact records that include victims' names and other private information.
There are critics and advocates supporting both the need for public transparency and the protection of victims' identities, recognizing that the release could force survivors to relive traumatic experiences in the media.
US Attorney General Pam Bondi stated her department would ensure compliance with the law while maintaining maximum transparency.
