Both chambers of Congress have approved [1] legislation to release all files related to Jeffrey Epstein, the convicted sex offender and New York financier who died in federal custody.
The House passed the measure 427-1, and the Senate approved it unanimously.
President Donald Trump said over the weekend that he supports full disclosure.
The bill grants Attorney General Pam Bondi authority to redact or withhold information that could endanger national security or interfere with ongoing federal investigations.
NEW – The Epstein Files bill grants Attorney General Pam Bondi the authority to “withhold or redact” any material that could endanger “national security” or “jeopardize an active federal investigation.” pic.twitter.com/ceUKneLWOy [2]
— Disclose.tv (@disclosetv) November 18, 2025 [3]
The scope of the files and the high-profile individuals associated with Epstein have been central to the debate surrounding the release.
Lawmakers have noted that a process is required to prevent defamation, and that being named in the files does not indicate involvement in criminal activity.
The issue has been a point of political focus since the investigation into Epstein gained renewed attention.
Some Democrats have circulated allegations that federal agents removed Trump’s name from the documents prior to their release.
The latest Democrat conspiracy theory has dropped: “1,000 FBI agents at a secret facility scrubbed Trump and Republicans from the Epstein files. That’s why Trump wants the files released.”
These people will never be satisfied. They don’t want transparency or justice. They will… pic.twitter.com/wSXwfaaoxx [4]
— Bad Hombre (@joma_gc) November 18, 2025 [5]
The claims were made as debate continued over the expected scope of disclosure and the individuals likely to be referenced in the material.
BREAKING — The US Justice Department will release the Jeffrey Epstein files within 30 days, Per Attorney General Pam Bondi
pic.twitter.com/E4wk1OHX7k [6]
— Election Wizard (@ElectionWiz) November 19, 2025 [7]
The release of the files is expected to include information involving multiple public figures.
Lawmakers have pointed to previous incidents involving communications connected to Epstein.
Del. Stacey Plaskett of the Virgin Islands exchanged text messages with Epstein in 2019 during a hearing with former Trump attorney Michael Cohen.
During that hearing, Epstein sent her suggested questions.
This is astonishing
During a congressional hearing Jeffrey Epstein was texting Congresswoman Plaskett. Feeding her question which she proceeded to ask.
I don’t even have wordspic.twitter.com/3CfjBN6YNb [8]
— Clint Russell (@LibertyLockPod) November 15, 2025 [9]
Plaskett had previously supported tax benefits that affected Epstein’s operations in the Virgin Islands.
The order to release the files follows years of congressional interest in records associated with Epstein, whose criminal case involved charges of sex trafficking.
The newly approved legislation sets out the process for handling the documents and outlines the attorney general’s authority regarding redactions and national security concerns.
“Crap” https://t.co/U8ysy8ckhi [10] pic.twitter.com/or1V1Fp9sj [11]
— Bonchie (@bonchieredstate) November 18, 2025 [12]