Former President Donald Trump has declared his intention to sign legislation that would force the US Justice Department to publicly release the files related to the late financier and convicted sex offender, Jeffrey Epstein.
Oval Office Announcement and Political Claims
The announcement was made on Monday 17 November 2025, as Mr Trump spoke to reporters during a FIFA World Cup 2026 Task Force meeting held in the Oval Office. During the exchange, he once again sought to frame the Epstein scandal as a political issue that primarily implicates his opponents.
He described the impending release of the documents as a "Democrat problem" and referred to the entire affair as a "hoax". The former president expressed a clear concern that the focus on Epstein would overshadow what he termed the "great success of the Republican Party".
A Conditional Endorsement
Despite his commitment to sign the bill, Trump's support came with a notable caveat. He explicitly requested that the media and public "Don’t talk about it too much." This statement suggests a desire to manage the political narrative and mitigate any potential damage or distraction the released files might cause.
He further elaborated on his political framing of the scandal, asserting that "all" of Epstein's friends "were Democrats," and attempted to link the issue to the government shutdown, stating that "the Democrats are totally blamed for the shutdown."
Legislative Hurdles Ahead
The legislative process for the bill is moving forward, with the House of Representatives expected to vote on it as soon as Tuesday. However, its path to becoming law is not guaranteed. The bill is anticipated to face significant hurdles and a potentially tougher passage in the Senate, where bipartisan support would be crucial for it to reach the President's desk.
This development ensures that the long-standing controversy surrounding Jeffrey Epstein's network will remain a central topic in American political discourse, with its release holding the potential for significant repercussions.
