(NewsNation) — After Congress voted to pass legislation ordering the Justice Department to release all files on convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, the bill is awaiting President Donald Trump’s signature.
The effort was initially met with opposition from Trump and Republican leadership, though the president eventually reversed course and said this week lawmakers should support the bill.
According to the bill, dubbed the Epstein Files Transparency Act, no record should be redacted on the basis of embarrassment, reputational harm or political sensitivity — including to any government official, public figure or foreign dignitary. However, some information is permitted to be withheld.
Epstein files: What can be redacted?
The bill states Attorney General Pam Bondi can withhold portions of the files that:
- Contain victims’ personally identifiable information or their personal and medical files that would constitute an invasion of privacy.
- Depict or contain child sexual abuse materials.
- Could jeopardize a current federal investigation or ongoing prosecution.
- Depict or contain images of death, physical abuse or injury.
- Contain information authorized to be kept secret in the interest of national defense.
All redactions must include a written justification published in the federal registrar and sent to Congress, according to the legislation.
Within 15 days of the files being released, the attorney general must submit all categories of records released and withheld, a summary of redactions made, including legal basis, and a list of all government officials and politically exposed persons named or referenced in the released materials — with no redactions permitted.
How could redactions affect the Epstein files timeline?
The release could be delayed if the Department of Justice determines that information in the files could jeopardize an ongoing prosecution or federal investigations.
However, the bill states all files must be released within 30 days of its signing.