US Congress approves release of Epstein files – what happens next?

The US Attorney General, Pam Bondi, announced that the Justice Department will release files related to Jeffrey Epstein within 30 days, following the US Senate's passage of a bill mandating the release. However, there may be material withheld that could impact an ongoing investigation ordered by Donald Trump. As of now, Trump has not scheduled time to sign the bill.

The Justice Department has acknowledged that a grand jury did not review the final indictment against former FBI Director James Comey. This admission comes as Comey's legal team seeks to have the criminal charges against him dismissed.

A Republican effort to censure Democratic Delegate Stacey Plaskett for her text exchanges with Jeffrey Epstein during a 2019 congressional hearing failed on the House floor. The motion, which aimed to formally reprimand Plaskett and remove her from the House intelligence committee, was rejected by a vote of 209 to 214. This incident has sparked accusations of a deal among party leaders to shield members from ethics controversies.

Donald Trump is set to sign a bill that will require the Justice Department to release more files related to Jeffrey Epstein, the deceased convicted sex offender. Initially opposing the release, Trump changed his stance after it became clear that the House would pass the legislation.

Copies of Sarah Ferguson's children's book 'Flora and Fern: Kindness Along the Way' have been withdrawn and sent for recycling due to renewed scrutiny over her connections to Jeffrey Epstein. Originally scheduled for publication on October 9, the release has been postponed to November 20 and subsequently removed from publication schedules entirely.

The Senate has swiftly approved a bill mandating the release of investigative files related to Jeffrey Epstein, following a near-unanimous vote in the House of Representatives. This bipartisan effort, supported by Donald Trump, marks a significant step in addressing public interest in Epstein's case.

The House approved a measure related to the Epstein files with a significant majority of 427 votes, including 216 from Republicans, while only one vote opposed the release. This decision highlights the ongoing political dynamics surrounding the Epstein case.

The Republican-controlled U.S. Congress voted almost unanimously to release Justice Department files on the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. This decision follows President Donald Trump's reversal of his long-standing opposition to the release, which he had maintained for months. The vote reflects a significant shift in the political landscape surrounding Epstein's case.