1:50Sky Roberts, brother to Virginia Giuffre, victimized by Jeffrey Epstein, along with his spouse Amanda Roberts, display a photograph of Giuffre at a media briefing concerning the Epstein Files Transparency Act in front of the U.S. Capitol, Nov. 18, 2025, in Washington.Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images
President Donald Trump stated via a social media message Wednesday evening that he had approved the Jeffrey Epstein records legislation, once again alleging Democratic connections to the discredited financier and suggesting purported ties between party figures and Epstein "will soon be brought to light."
The president reiterated his claim that the Epstein records serve as a diversion from his objectives, and what he has termed a Democratic deception will "boomerang on the Democrats as every other one has!"
Two legislative assistants informed ABC News Wednesday that the bill was submitted to the executive branch at 4:38 p.m. Wednesday.
According to the statute, the Department of Justice possesses 30 days to disseminate the documents after the president signs it. Given that Trump signed the bill Wednesday, the release timeframe would conclude on Dec. 19.
In this archive image from July 2, 2020, Audrey Strauss, serving as acting US Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announces accusations against Ghislaine Maxwell at a New York press conference.Johannes Eisele/AFP via Getty Images, FILE
Leading up to Trump’s declaration, Attorney General Pam Bondi communicated to ABC News Wednesday that the DOJ "will adhere to the law."
Bondi mentioned that "fresh information" had surfaced within the department regarding the Epstein records, though she stopped short of detailing the nature of this information.
The timing of when—or if—the public will gain access to these records remains uncertain, as does their level of completeness, given that the legislation encompasses several qualifications to a complete release that may impede or postpone disclosure.
As per the legislation, the DOJ "retains the prerogative to withhold or redact" the identities and "personal and medical information" pertaining to Epstein’s victims. Bondi has stated that the department will "persist in following the law while ensuring protection for victims."
According to the bill, the DOJ also has the discretion to withhold materials that "would represent an unambiguous and unwarranted intrusion upon individual privacy" or "portrays or involves child sexual exploitation."
However, the legislation does feature wording which mandates "no documentation shall be suppressed, delayed, or altered due to embarrassment, damage to reputation, or political considerations, including those impacting government personnel, notable figures, or international officials."
The statute also specifies that the attorney general can suppress or redact information that "could compromise an ongoing federal investigation or existing prosecution, assuming that this suppression is precisely calibrated and temporary."
This might encompass any details relevant to the recent inquiry into purported connections between prominent Democrats and Epstein, which Trump instructed Bondi to pursue.
For any documentation the DOJ opts to withhold or amend, it is compelled to provide reasons for its actions within 15 days of the documents’ public issuance.
Epstein abuse survivor Lisa Phillips delivers remarks during a media event with lawmakers regarding the Epstein Files Transparency Act, held outside the U.S. Capitol on November 18, 2025, in Washington, DC.Heather Diehl/Getty Images
Meanwhile, Epstein survivors are pressing forward with their campaign to make the files public.
"For us, this transcends politics," Dani Bensky confided to ABC News. "This represents a matter of survival, and we appreciate every individual who collaborated to bring this to fruition. We approach the release with measured optimism, trusting it will emphasize transparency, ensuring the perpetrators of these vile acts can no longer operate covertly."
Jena-Lisa Jones commented, "This is a momentous day for all survivors. Now, we shall observe the unfolding events."
ABC News contributors Allison Pecorin, John Parkinson, Lauren Peller, Rebecca Gelpi, Michelle Stoddart, Fritz Farrow, Luke Barr, Alex Mallin, Ivan Pereira, and Jim Hill aided in the preparation of this report.
Sourse: abcnews.go.com
