President Donald Trump introduced on Truth Social final evening that he signed the bill that directs the Department of Justice to publicly release all its Jeffrey Epstein-related files.
It is just not instantly clear how the Justice Department would release the associated files or if the info would stay tied up in ongoing investigations.
Here’s what occurred yesterday:
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Trump’s framing: In his publish on Truth Social, Trump framed the release of the files as a transparency effort he pushed via Congress and used the second to criticize Democrats over their previous associations with Epstein. The president used the relaxation of the publish to blast what he known as years of politically motivated investigations, whereas touting what he described as his administration’s accomplishments.
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Concerns about DOJ: Senators from both parties stated yesterday that the DOJ should adjust to the legislation and release the files inside 30 days. However, some lawmakers are concerned the administration might discover other ways to block it. Attorney General Pam Bondi stated the administration would “follow the law.”
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Senate made no amendments: Senate Majority Leader John Thune stated he and House Speaker Mike Johnson are “unified,” despite disagreements over how to deal with the bill. Johnson needed the Senate to amend the bill and stated he was “surprised and disappointed” that no adjustments have been made. Thune stated he trusts the “judgement of the Justice Department” to shield victims.
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House Oversight investigation: The House Oversight Committee remains to be conducting its investigation into Epstein. Chair James Comer subpoenaed J.P. Morgan and Deutsche Bank for the convicted intercourse offender’s monetary data.
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Survivors: Some of Epstein’s survivors have been celebrating the passage of the laws. Lisa Phillips and Sharlene Rochard stated that watching the win in Congress final evening was an “amazing” feeling. Alicia Arden additionally stated she felt vindicated to see the laws go and that she looks like a “weight lifted” for her.
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Censure vote: Meantime, Stacey Plaskett, a Democrat who represents the US Virgin Islands as a delegate, stated she is “moving forward” following a failed effort to censure her over a text exchange she had with Epstein in 2019 throughout a congressional listening to.
NCS’s Alejandra Jaramillo, Morgan Rimmer, Maureen Chowdhury, Karenia Murry, Manu Raju, Annie Grayer and Veronica Stracqualursi contributed reporting to this publish.