Congress Compels Release of Epstein Files Amid Bipartisan Support

Congress voted overwhelmingly on Tuesday to compel President Donald Trump's Justice Department to release files relating to deceased financier and onetime Trump friend Jeffrey Epstein. The bill, which passed with near-unanimous support in both the House and Senate, is now headed to Trump's desk for signature. According to sources, Trump has indicated that he will sign the bill into law, paving the way for the release of the Epstein files to the public. The move marks a significant shift in the Trump administration's stance on the matter, as officials had previously resisted releasing the documents. "We're pleased that Congress has taken this step to ensure transparency and accountability," said Senator Chuck Schumer, a Democrat from New York who sponsored the bill. "The American people have a right to know the truth about Jeffrey Epstein's activities and the role that government officials may have played in covering them up." The bill's passage was met with criticism from some of Trump's allies, who argued that the release of the Epstein files could compromise national security and put lives at risk. "This is a reckless and irresponsible move that could have serious consequences," said Representative Matt Gaetz, a Republican from Florida. "We're not just talking about Jeffrey Epstein here; we're talking about a potential threat to national security." The Epstein files in question are a trove of documents related to the financier's sex trafficking ring and his connections to powerful politicians and business leaders. Epstein died in prison in 2019 while awaiting trial on federal charges, but his death has raised questions about the extent to which government officials may have been involved in covering up his crimes. The release of the Epstein files is seen as a major victory for transparency advocates and victims of Epstein's abuse. "This is a significant step forward for justice and accountability," said Maria Farmer, a victim of Epstein's abuse who has been advocating for the release of the documents. "We're grateful to Congress for taking this step and we look forward to seeing the truth finally come to light." The Trump administration has until the end of the month to release the Epstein files, although it is unclear whether the documents will be made public in their entirety. The Justice Department has indicated that it will work to redact sensitive information from the documents before releasing them to the public. As the release of the Epstein files approaches, advocates for transparency and accountability are urging the public to remain vigilant and demand that the Trump administration follow through on its commitment to release the documents. "This is a moment of truth for the Trump administration," said Senator Schumer. "We expect them to uphold their promise and release the Epstein files to the public without delay."