Trump Signs Bill Ordering Release of Epstein Files, Faces Scrutiny Over Full Disclosure
President Trump signed a bill into law requiring teh Justice Department to release documents related to Jeffrey epstein, reversing an earlier stance. In July, Pamela Bondi, who was overseeing the review of the Epstein files, stated they contained no information prompting further inquiry into additional individuals. Though, she reversed this position on Wednesday, explaining, “There is new information, additional information and, again, we will continue to follow the law and investigate any leads.”
While the new legislation mandates the release of the files, legal experts point out that grand jury secrecy rules remain in effect and the bill does not supersede them. The Justice Department also retains the ability to withhold materials it deems an “unwarranted invasion of personal privacy.”
Barbara McQuade, former U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Michigan, explained to TIME last week that “if there is a pending investigation, the DOJ can assert executive privilege and try to prevent any more documents from being released.”
The overwhelming bipartisan support for the bill – passing with large vote totals – has led some Republicans to hope the Trump administration will avoid utilizing exceptions to limit disclosure. Democrats expressed more skepticism. Senate Minority Leader chuck Schumer stated on the Senate floor on Wednesday, “He must execute it faithfully,” adding, “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. This is not an invitation for donald Trump to pick and choose his version of the truth.”
Schumer further declared, “If Donald Trump refuses to comply, if he refuses to obey the law, Senate Democrats will hold him accountable. We’ll exercise oversight, demand transparency, we’ll make it clear to the American people that Donald Trump has refused to come clean on jeffrey Epstein.”
Despite the lawS passage, concerns remain about its enforceability. The legislation lacks a mechanism to compel the Justice department to fully disclose the documents. During his first term, Trump Administration officials disregarded multiple Congressional subpoenas, and observers anticipate an even greater willingness to defy Congress during his second term.
