This piece is freely available to read. Become a paid subscriber today and help keep Mencari News financially afloat so that we can continue to pay our writers for their insight and expertise.
President Donald Trump signed legislation Wednesday compelling his administration to release all files related to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, reversing months of resistance after overwhelming bipartisan pressure from Congress.
The bill, which passed the House 427-1 and received unanimous Senate approval, requires the Justice Department to disclose all files and communications related to Epstein within 30 days, including information about the investigation into his 2019 death in federal prison.
Trump could have released many of the files on his own authority months earlier but initially opposed congressional efforts to force disclosure. The legislation allows redactions only to protect Epstein’s victims or ongoing federal investigations. The Justice Department cannot withhold information due to “embarrassment, reputational harm, or political sensitivity,” according to the bill’s language.
Trump announced the signing on social media, claiming Democrats were using the Epstein issue to distract from Republican legislative achievements. He noted that Epstein was charged by his Justice Department in 2019 and characterized the financier as having deeper ties to Democratic figures.
The president’s reversal came after members of his own party, including Rep. Lauren Boebert of Colorado, pushed the legislation forward. The Trump administration had summoned Boebert to the White House Situation Room last week to discuss the matter, but she maintained her support for releasing the files.
Only Rep. Clay Higgins, R-La., voted against the measure, arguing the bill’s language could lead to releasing information about innocent individuals mentioned in the federal investigation.
Follow us across all major podcasting platforms and social media channels for updates that matter. Your support keeps independent journalism alive!
For more in-depth coverage on these stories and other news affecting Australia and the world, subscribe to readmencari.com. Support our independent journalism by listening to our podcasts on all major platforms and considering a subscription to help us continue delivering fearless reporting free from financial and political influence.
Got a News Tip?
Contact our editor via Proton Mail encrypted, X Direct Message, LinkedIn, or email. You can securely message him on Signal by using his username, Miko Santos.
The Mencari readers receive journalism free of financial and political influence.
We set our own news agenda, which is always based on facts rather than billionaire ownership or political pressure.
Despite the financial challenges that our industry faces, we have decided to keep our reporting open to the public because we believe that everyone has the right to know the truth about the events that shape their world.
Thanks to the unwavering support of our readers, we’re able to keep the news flowing freely. If you’re able, please join us in supporting Mencari.
Join over 1000 readers. Sign up here.
We’d love it if you could share the email with your friends! Just (copy the URL here.
