After Trump signs Epstein files bill, focus shifts to release timeline
President Donald Trump said in a social media post on Wednesday night that he signed the Jeffrey Epstein files bill, again accusing Democrats of associating with the disgraced financier and saying alleged links between party members and Epstein "will soon be revealed."
The president repeated his assertion that the Epstein files are a distraction from his agenda and what he has called a Democratic hoax will "backfire on the Democrats just as all of the rest have!"
Two congressional aides told ABC News on Wednesday that the bill was transmitted to the White House at 4:38 p.m. Wednesday.
Under the measure, the Justice Department has 30 days to release the materials once the president signs it. If Trump signed the bill Wednesday, the deadline for release would be Dec. 19.
Ahead of Trump's announcement, Attorney General Pam Bondi told ABC News Wednesday that the DOJ "will follow the law."
Bondi also said that "new information" had come to the department regarding the Epstein files, but did not elaborate on what the new information was.
It is unclear when -- or even whether -- the public will see the files, or how complete they might be, as the bill includes several exceptions to a full release that could complicate or delay disclosure.
The bill says the DOJ "may withhold or redact" the identities and "personal and medical files," of Epstein's victims. Bondi has said the department will "continue to follow the law while protecting victims."
The DOJ can also withhold material that "would constitute a clearly unwarranted invasion of personal privacy" or "depicts or contains child sexual abuse," according to the bill.
However, the bill does contain language that stipulates "no record shall be withheld, delayed, or redacted on the basis of embarrassment, reputational harm, or political sensitivity, including to any government official, public figure, or foreign dignitary"
The measure also states the attorney general may withhold or redact info that "would jeopardize an active federal investigation or ongoing prosecution, provided that such withholding is narrowly tailored and temporary."
That could include any information relating to the new probe of alleged connections top Democrats had to Epstein that Trump ordered Bondi to pursue.
For any materials it chooses to withhold or redact, the DOJ is required to outline their justifications for doing so within 15 days of their public release.
Meanwhile, Epstein survivors are continuing their push for the release of the files.
"This is not political for us," Dani Bensky told ABC News. "This is a survivor issue and we are grateful for all the individuals who came together to make this happen. We are cautiously optimistic that the release will focus on transparency so that the evil doers can no longer live in the shadows."
Jena-Lisa Jones said, "What a great day for all survivors. Now, let's see what happens next."
ABC News' Allison Pecorin, John Parkinson, Lauren Peller, Rebecca Gelpi, Michelle Stoddart, Fritz Farrow, Luke Barr, Alex Mallin, Ivan Pereira and Jim Hill contributed to this report.
