US President Donald Trump on Wednesday signed into law a bill demanding the release of government records about convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, sparking debate over whether the Republican leader will allow full transparency or attempt to suppress the case once again.
Trump surprised Washington over the weekend by reversing his long-lived opposition to the Epstein Files Transparency Act, clearing the way for its swift passage through Congress on Tuesday in a rare moment of bipartisan unity.
The Republican president, once a friend of the late sex offender, announced late Wednesday that he had signed the bill while choosing not to hold a traditional public signing ceremony.
But insiders caution that even with the president's signature, his administration may use redactions, procedural delays or ongoing federal investigations to keep explosive details out of the public eye.
"Once the president signs the bill, he must apply and execute it faithfully. There must be no funny business from Donald Trump," warned top Democrat Chuck Schumer in a speech on the Senate floor. "He must not use the excuse of frivolous investigations to release some Epstein documents, while intentionally hiding others that deserve to be seen by the American public."
Epstein, a wealthy financier, spent years building close relationships with business tycoons, politicians, academics and celebrities to whom he was accused of trafficking girls and young women for sex.
Trump and his allies spent years pushing claims that powerful Democrats were being protected due to their connections with Epstein framing the case as a potent symbol of how influential men can hide behind lawyers, money, and connections
But Trump himself was a longtime associate of Epstein, raising questions over what he knew about the notorious figure.
Beyond Trump's conspiracy-minded voter base, the story has undermined public trust in the US justice system and raised suspicion among voters who believe important pieces of the story were either hidden or ignored.
Epstein's 2019 arrest triggered a wave of outrage and intense demands for a full accounting of his network, finances, and those who helped him evade justice.
Conspiracy theories about a cover-up only deepened after his death, officially ruled a suicide, in a New York jail soon after.
'Smoke screen'?
The passage of the Epstein Files Transparency Act in Congress marked a moment of deep emotional significance, with abuse survivors filling the House gallery during the vote, embracing and cheering as the bill passed.
The passage of the bill served as a strong rebuke to Trump and his ally, House Speaker Mike Johnson, who had led efforts to prevent disclosure.
When asked if he'd push Trump to veto the bill, Johnson had said he would "cross that bridge" when it happens.
The president had warned House Republicans off the action but reversed course, fearing humiliation as he faced the largest rebellion of his Presidency.
Under the law, the US Justice Department has a month to post its unclassified files online, in a searchable collection of transcripts, flight logs and communications that could reveal new names and connections. The text makes only narrow exceptions for personal data and genuine legal and security concerns.
Analysts question whether officials will comply or argue that sensitive material cannot be released due to ongoing investigations including a new probe ordered by Trump last week into Epstein's ties with Democrats.
Thomas Massie, the Kentucky Republican who pushed the House vote, told ABC News that it "might be a big smoke screen, these investigations, to open a bunch of them as a last-ditch effort to prevent the release of the Epstein files."
The Justice Department and FBI stated in July that their review of the files found no evidence would support further action. It remains unclear whether the new investigation ordered by Trump last Friday will delay the disclosure process.
Attorney General Pam Bondi was pressed on the justification for further investigation and said there was "new information, additional information."
"If there are any victims, we encourage all victims to come forward," she told reporters. "And we will continue to provide maximum transparency under the law."
– TIMES/AFP
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by AFP
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