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By Kate Plummer
Senior US News Reporter
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A provision in the bill requiring the Justice Department to release its files on the convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein has come under scrutiny over concerns it could allow Attorney General Pam Bondi to redact certain details.
The Epstein Files Transparency Act will head to President Donald Trump's desk for his signature after the House and Senate both voted on Tuesday to publicly release the files. Epstein died by suicide in a New York jail in 2019 while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges.
The bill requires Bondi to release all files—including internal communications and investigative materials—related to Epstein and his co-conspirator Ghislaine Maxwell within 30 days of the law being enacted.
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However, the bill does allow Bondi to redact records in specific instances, including documents that "would jeopardize an active federal investigation or ongoing prosecution."
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Newsweek contacted the Justice Department for comment by email outside of normal business hours.
Why It Matters
The Epstein files have caused continuous issues for the Trump administration. Trump called for their release on the campaign trail then later backtracked, sparking criticism and calls for greater transparency.
On Wednesday, lawmakers released more than 20,000 pages of documents connected to Epstein, but this did not stem the tide of those calling for their complete release.
What To Know
Representative Thomas Massie, a Kentucky Republican, introduced a petition earlier this year to compel a vote on the release of the files. The bill requires Bondi to release all materials related to Epstein and Maxwell within 30 days of the law being enacted.
The vote passed 427-1 on Tuesday with only Republican Clay Higgins of Louisiana voting against. Then, the Senate fast-tracked the bill without a formal vote.
The bill says Bondi can redact parts of the records that "contain personally identifiable information" about victims that would "constitute a clearly unwarranted invasion of personal privacy."
The Attorney General can also redact "child sexual abuse materials" and images about "death, physical abuse, or injury" as well as material that "would jeopardize" investigation and prosecution.
Information deemed "to be kept secret in the interest of national defense or foreign policy" can be redacted
The bill said that redactions "must be accompanied with a written justification" to Congress and that the Attorney General should work to "declassify that classified information to the maximum extent possible" including by releasing summaries of redacted materials.
Because of these provisions, some people on social media claimed the files will be redacted, though the administration has not yet commented on whether it will redact files and how it would do so.
Jacob King, a financial analyst, wrote on X: "Nothing incriminating against Trump or his allies will emerge, and most of the released files will be heavily redacted." Trump has consistently denied any wrongdoing in connection to Epstein and has said the pair fell out in the early 2000s.
Right-wing commentator Evan Kilgore said: "Basically, we are going to get a highly redacted nothing burger and justice will not truly be served."
Speaking to Newsweek, Matthew Mangino a former district attorney in Lawrence County, Pennsylvania, said: "The legislation grants authority to the AG to redact or withhold 'classified' information to protect national security. However, the President has the authority to grant the AG the authority to declassify information related to the Epstein Files.
"In 2019, President Trump granted William Barr wide latitude to declassify documents to get to the 'truth' about Russian election interference. With the near unanimous support of Congress the President should order the AG to fully and completely release unredacted records."
What People Are Saying
Representative Ro Khanna, a California Democrat, wrote on X: "The president has said he will sign the Epstein Files Transparency Act that I introduced & @RepThomasMassie led the discharge petition. The Swamp is trying to get it amended in the Senate. Anyone who tried to amend a bill POTUS says he will sign is betraying the survivors."
What Happens Next
Trump must sign the legislation for the documents to be released. If he does, it remains to be seen whether any will be redacted.
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