Speculation surrounding the affair of Jeffrey Epstein, the controversial late financier and sex trafficker, is awaiting its decisive moment on Friday, when the long-anticipated release of documents related to his criminal network is scheduled. After months of delays, the administration of President Donald Trump is now legally obliged to publish an extensive archive of documents that could bring new information about Epstein’s crimes and his connections with key public figures, including Trump himself.
Under the framework of the Epstein Files Transparency Act, which was passed in Congress in November after months of attempts by the White House to block it, Attorney General Pam Bondi must, by midnight on Friday, release “all unclassified records, documents, communications, and investigative materials” related to Epstein, his imprisoned associate Ghislaine Maxwell, and individuals mentioned in connection with his criminal activities.
The documents will be available in a searchable and downloadable format, allowing researchers and the public more detailed insight into their contents.
Politicization of the release and Trump’s role
The release comes after months of pressure from Trump’s base of supporters, who demanded that the documents be made public. However, during this period, there were also internal divisions among supporters of the former president, while the Epstein issue was used both as a political asset and as a source of controversy.
Trump, who was previously close to Epstein, promised during last year’s election campaign that he would order the release of the documents, but later backed away after returning to office. His decision provoked sharp reactions even among his own supporters, particularly when Bondi did not release the documents over the summer, while Trump at the time downplayed speculation about an alleged list of Epstein’s clients, even though he had previously claimed that the document was already on her desk.
As pressure grew, Trump called the Epstein affair a “Democratic hoax” and criticized his own supporters for focusing on the issue. His close ally, Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, attempted for several weeks to keep the House’s work in recess, in an effort to prevent Republicans from supporting a discharge petition that would force a vote on the release of the documents.
In the end, the petition was adopted, and the House of Representatives supported the release with 427 votes in favor and one against. The Senate quickly followed, giving its consent unanimously. Trump, after earlier opposition, signed the law, thereby formally ordering the release of the documents.
Limitations and controversies
Trump’s opponents expressed doubts that the released documents would be complete, and that information potentially compromising to him could be withheld. The Department of Justice has the authority to withhold records that identify victims, including images of child sexual abuse, or documents that are classified. The department may also withhold documents that could affect federal investigations.
In December, Trump ordered a criminal investigation into Epstein’s ties with prominent Democrats, including former President Bill Clinton.
Democratic sponsors of the law emphasized that it requires Bondi to publish an unclassified summary clarifying any portion of information that has been redacted or classified, thereby increasing the transparency of the process.
New materials ahead of the official release
Even before the formal release, Democrats on the House Oversight Committee increased pressure by publishing a new series of 68 photographs from Epstein’s properties. Among them, one shows Epstein in the company of philosopher Noam Chomsky on an airplane, while another shows Bill Gates, the founder of Microsoft, next to a woman whose face is blurred.
The release of these documents is expected to draw additional attention from the media, political actors, and the public, and potentially open new questions about the network of contacts and activities of Jeffrey Epstein.
