The Senate late Tuesday approved the Epstein Files Transparency Act through unanimous consent, moving the measure to the White House in a matter of hours.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer signaled he would grant unanimous consent as soon as the House finished its work. The House had passed the bill 427 to 1 earlier in the day.
The bipartisan legislation orders the Justice Department to release all investigative material tied to Jeffrey Epstein’s sex trafficking network. The move reverses President Trump’s earlier resistance after weeks of public pressure, and it could reveal links that stretch across political and social circles.
Trump campaigned on a promise to declassify Epstein-related records, arguing that sunlight would expose powerful figures. Once in office, his Justice Department issued a July 6 memo saying an extensive review found no evidence of blackmail, no grounds to pursue third parties, and no reason to release more documents. That memo sparked bipartisan anger, including among parts of Trump’s MAGA base, which accused the administration of hiding information.
For months Trump brushed off demands for disclosure as a “Democrat hoax” or “Epstein hoax” pushed to undercut his record. He shifted position on Sunday, writing on Truth Social: “House Republicans should vote to release the Epstein files, because we have nothing to hide, and it’s time to move on from this Democrat Hoax.” The next day he posted, “I DON’T CARE! All I do care about is that Republicans get BACK ON POINT,” later adding that he would sign the bill.
Although Trump could release the files without Congress, he has chosen not to.
During an Oval Office appearance with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, an ABC News reporter asked Trump about the documents. Trump fired back, calling her “a terrible person and a terrible reporter” and accusing ABC of “fake” and “wrong” coverage. He then suggested the Federal Communications Commission should pull ABC’s broadcast license, claiming its reporting was so inaccurate that the network “should have [its license] taken away.”
This is a breaking news story. Please check back for updates.
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