Controversy over the Jeffrey Epstein criminal case files plagued President Donald Trump for months, culminating in their upcoming release.

Trump supported releasing the files during the 2024 presidential campaign. But his Department of Justice on July 7 released a memo saying no further disclosure of the documents was needed after teasing a "truckload" of Epstein files in March. It spurred a rare moment of discord within the Republican Party and a movement to force vote on the "Epstein Files Transparency Act.”

Though Trump repeatedly called the issue a hoax, he made a stunning reversal in supporting the release of the files, and the bill was swiftly passed through the House, the Senate, and signed by Trump on Nov. 19.

So when will the files be released? Here is what to know:

When will the Epstein files be released?

The DOJ has until Dec. 19, 30 days after Trump signed the bill, to release the files.

But that is the latest; it is possible for them to be released sooner.

Countdown to the deadline:

Some files may still be withheld

The law Trump signed still has some wiggle room for the Justice Department to withhold some files. For example, it allows the DOJ to withhold documents that "would jeopardize an active federal investigation or ongoing prosecution, provided that such withholding is narrowly tailored and temporary."

Days before he changed his stance on releasing the files, Trump ordered investigations into Democrats linked to Epstein, naming former President Bill Clinton, former Treasury Secretary Larry Summers and venture capitalist Reid Hoffman, for example.

The bill also allows the DOJ to withhold records that violate victims' privacy or contain sensitive material like child sex abuse material.

Contributing: Joey Garrison, James Powel, Michael Loria, USA TODAY

Kinsey Crowley is the Trump Connect reporter for the USA TODAY Network. Reach her at KCrowley@usatodayco.com. Follow her on X (Twitter), Bluesky and TikTok.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: When will the Epstein files be released? Countdown to the deadline

Reporting by Kinsey Crowley, USA TODAY NETWORK / USA TODAY

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