President Donald Trump signed a bill on Wednesday that mandates the Department of Justice to publicly release all files related to Jeffrey Epstein, a convicted sex offender. This decision comes after significant pressure from members of his own party, despite Trump's previous resistance to the measure.

In a post on Truth Social, Trump announced the signing and claimed credit for the bill's passage, even though he only supported it after it became clear that it would move forward without his approval. He characterized the scrutiny surrounding the Epstein files as a distraction from his administration's achievements. "Democrats have used the ‘Epstein’ issue, which affects them far more than the Republican Party, in order to try and distract from our AMAZING Victories," Trump wrote.

The legislation requires the Justice Department to release all documents and communications related to Epstein, including information about the investigation into his death in a federal prison in 2019. The department has 30 days to comply. While the bill allows for redactions concerning Epstein's victims due to ongoing federal investigations, it prohibits withholding information based on embarrassment, reputational harm, or political sensitivity.

The House of Representatives passed the bill with overwhelming support, voting 427-1. The only dissenting vote came from Rep. Clay Higgins, R-La., who expressed concerns that the bill could lead to the release of information about innocent individuals mentioned in the investigation. The Senate later approved the bill unanimously without a formal vote.

Trump's relationship with Epstein has been a topic of scrutiny, as he was once friends with the disgraced financier, who was connected to many high-profile individuals. However, Trump has consistently stated that he was unaware of Epstein's criminal activities and had severed ties with him long ago.

The bill's passage marks a significant shift in the political landscape surrounding the Epstein case. Initially, the effort to disclose the files was seen as unlikely, but it gained momentum through a coalition of Democrats, some Republicans, and former Trump allies. Last week, the Trump administration even convened a meeting with Rep. Lauren Boebert, a Republican supporter of the bill, in the Situation Room, but she did not change her stance.

Maria Farmer, a survivor who accused Epstein of assault and testified against Ghislaine Maxwell, welcomed the bill's passage. "I have waited nearly three decades for answers about how my reports of abuse at the hands of Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell were investigated by federal authorities," Farmer stated. "After being left in the dark for decades, having my repeated calls for transparency and action ignored, and living through nearly five administrations that turned a blind eye to this enormous travesty of justice, Congress finally listened to survivors."

Despite the bill's signing, it remains uncertain how much information will ultimately be released, as key exceptions could still keep many documents confidential or delay their disclosure.