Overview
- Trump announced the action on Nov. 19 via Truth Social, writing, “I HAVE JUST SIGNED THE BILL TO RELEASE THE EPSTEIN FILES!”
- He used the announcement to attack Democrats, calling Epstein a Democratic “problem” and labeling the focus on the files a “hoax.”
- Coverage notes the measure cleared Congress swiftly the day before, directing the Justice Department to make the documents public.
- WION reported that Trump had recently faced pressure from his MAGA base to support releasing the records.
- Trump claimed his administration charged Epstein in 2019 and criticized the Biden administration for what he described as inaction on the files.