by Stefan J. Bos, Worthy News Chief International Correspondent
WASHINGTON (Worthy News) – U.S. President Donald J. Trump has signed legislation compelling his administration to release all classified files related to the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, after mounting pressure from within his own Republican Party.
Trump confirmed the move in a social-media post, framing the release as a political counterpunch. “Democrats have used the ‘Epstein’ issue, which affects them far more than the Republican Party, in order to try and distract from our AMAZING Victories,” he wrote shortly after signing the bill.
The signing followed Trump’s tense exchange with ABC News chief White House correspondent Mary Bruce, who pressed him on why his administration had not already released the documents. Trump responded by threatening to have the network’s broadcast license “taken away,” drawing bipartisan criticism.
Lawmakers from both parties have long called for the release of Epstein-related materials, saying transparency is essential to expose networks of abuse, potential accomplices, and institutional failures that enabled Epstein’s crimes.
STRICT TIMETABLE FOR RELEASE
Congressional investigators stated that the legislation establishes a strict timetable for the Justice Department, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and intelligence agencies to review and release the files, allowing only limited redactions to protect minors or ongoing investigations.
Several lawmakers, including Republicans who urged Trump to sign, said full disclosure is critical “to restore public trust.”
Victims’ advocacy groups welcomed the president’s decision, calling the release “long overdue” and saying it could help expose long-ignored networks that enabled Epstein’s activities.
However, officials cautioned that some material may still be withheld under national-security exemptions.
The administration has not announced when the first documents will be made public, but the new law requires agencies to begin releasing files within weeks.
EPSTEIN BACK IN SPOTLIGHT
The files have again put the spotlight on Epstein, the late American financier and convicted sex offender, born January 20, 1953.
He was accused of trafficking and abusing underage girls, some as young as 14, and in 2008 secured a controversial non-prosecution agreement in Florida.
Epstein was arrested again in July 2019 on federal sex-trafficking charges.
He died on August 10, 2019, at age 66, while being held at a federal facility in Manhattan.
Copyright 1999-2026 Worthy News. This article was originally published on Worthy News and was reproduced with permission.
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