On November 19, after much pressure from the Democratic party and months of resistance, President Trump approved legislation for the release of the Epstein files.
The “Epstein Files Transparency Act” calls on the Department of Justice to release the files within 30 days. However, certain provisions are included that protect files involved in ongoing investigations. Files that “identify victims or include images of child sexual abuse, or are otherwise classified” will not be released. All files that are not released must have reasons explaining why.
Before the President, both the Senate and the House of Representatives passed the demand of the release with overwhelming support. The Senate saw a unanimous vote in support of release, and the House of Representatives had a vote of 427-1.
Prior to the passing of this bill, the Trump administration had been publicly against the releasing of the files. Taking to social media after the signing of the bill, Trump said, “Perhaps the truth about these Democrats, and their associations with Jeffrey Epstein, will soon be revealed.” Further blaming Democrats, Trump said the party was using the files as a distraction from the administration’s other actions.
Reactions to the passage of the bill varied. Democrats applauded the legislation after months of advocating its release. Others, like Republican Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene, had public disputes with the president over the “destructive” release. Virginia Giuffre was one of many women that had accusatory claims on Epstein. Giuffre’s family members wrote in a statement that “this moment is nothing short of monumental: for Virginia, for her survivor sisters, and for all those who have fought so hard to ensure their stories are finally seen, heard, and believed.” The statement continued, “this is a momentous step towards a long-overdue justice. We await the full release of the Epstein files from the Department of Justice eagerly, and we will not stop until the full truth is out.”
The constant scrutiny and claims of Trump’s involvement with Epstein also came to light. In emails released earlier this year, Epstein wrote that Trump “knew about the girls” and was the “dog that hasn’t barked.” For as long as the scrutiny has been around, Trump has denied the accusations of his involvement. His administration has also had the same stance, with White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt saying in a press briefing that the emails “prove absolutely nothing other than the fact that President Trump did nothing wrong.” The overarching statement of the administration is that while Trump and Epstein were friends in the 1980s and ‘90s, the friendship was terminated by Trump “for being a creep.”
The full files are yet to be released.