Despite strong support in the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate for a bill mandating the disclosure of information pertaining to Jeffrey Epstein, there are concerns among some legislators that President Donald Trump may find ways to avoid revealing details about the late convicted sex trafficker. The worry stems from the possibility that the Department of Justice (DOJ) could use a legal loophole, opened by Trump, to withhold crucial documents linked to investigations into Epstein’s exploitation of underage girls.
The bill, known as the Epstein Files Transparency Act, was passed by Congress on Tuesday, allowing the DOJ to withhold or redact any records that could compromise ongoing federal investigations or prosecutions. Republican Representative Thomas Massie, a co-sponsor of the bill, expressed apprehensions regarding Trump’s recent directive to investigate Epstein’s ties to prominent Democrats, suggesting that such probes could be utilized as grounds to withhold the files.
Once Trump signs the bill, expected to occur on Wednesday, the DOJ will have 30 days to release all unclassified materials related to its Epstein investigations. The administration had previously resisted such disclosures since July, when the DOJ announced it would cease releasing Epstein-related files and claimed not to possess a list of his clients. Trump had urged Republicans to refrain from discussing Epstein and had dismissed transparency calls as part of a Democratic scheme.
Advocates for transparency fear that the administration may continue seeking ways to delay the full release of the files. Spencer Kuvin, an attorney representing some of Epstein’s victims, raised concerns over Trump’s recent investigative orders, suggesting a potential ulterior motive to withhold materials from the public under the guise of ongoing investigations. If such actions are taken, Kuvin indicated that survivors might resort to legal action to compel the DOJ to disclose the material.
The act stipulates that any withholding of information related to active investigations must be limited in scope and duration. Jena-Lisa Jones, an Epstein abuse survivor who voted for Trump, implored the president not to weaponize the files against his political adversaries, emphasizing the non-partisan nature of sexual abuse and urging Trump to support the release of the documents for the sake of transparency and justice.
