What happens now the Epstein files are being forced open
episodePreviously titled “Inside the stunning vote to force the release of the Epstein files” — renamed by the publisher on Aug 2, 2026
Transcript
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Transcript generated automatically by AI and may contain errors.
What is the main topic discussed in this episode?
Good morning. It's Wednesday, November 19th. I'm Shamita Basu. This is Apple News Today. On today's show, the race to figure out a plan for health care subsidies, how Iran ran out of water, and raccoons are showing signs of domestication.
But first, the bill to force the DOJ to release Epstein files breezed through the House and the Senate yesterday and now heads to President Trump's desk.
How did Congress force the Justice Department to release the Jeffrey Epstein files?
This was the moment lawmakers in the House applauded abuse survivors and their families as they passed the bill 427 to 1.
The bill is passed and without objection, the motion to reconsider is laid on the table.
The single no vote was Republican Clay Higgins of Louisiana, who said he was concerned about, quote, innocent people being hurt with the release of the information. The vote was a major turnaround for the GOP, which has for months largely resisted pressure to back the petition. But as momentum was building in the House, Trump's decision to back it all but cemented the result.
Why did almost every lawmaker vote to release the Epstein documents?
Speaker Mike Johnson remained critical of the bill even as he voted for it and said the way it had been rushed through would prevent careful congressional scrutiny.
That's why I had been opposed to it all along. But having now forced the vote, none of us want to go on record and in any way be accused of not being for maximum transparencies.
He asked the Senate for changes that he said would offer more protections to victims. But in the end, senators fast-tracked it through unanimous consent, meaning it'll pass unamended. The bill will compel the Justice Department to release all its files, ranging from travel documents to private correspondence, though there could be lots of redactions to protect victims. And the bill also allows for redactions of materials that would, quote, jeopardize an active federal investigation. Releasing the files doesn't require an act of Congress, and critics point out that Trump could have done so on his own. The White House says in response they've released thousands of documents already, either proactively or in response to subpoenas.
The president pledged to approve whatever comes to him.
I'm for any, I don't, they can do whatever they want. You would sign it?
What protections and redactions will accompany the public release of the files?
I would give them everything. Sure I would. Let the Senate look at it. Let anybody look at it. But don't talk about it too much because honestly, I don't want to take it away from us. It's really a Democrat problem. The Democrats were Epstein's friends, all of them. And it's a hoax.
What immediate impact could the DOJ’s release of Epstein materials have on victims and politics?
The whole thing is a hoax.
Democratic Representative Ro Khanna, co-sponsor of the petition that got all this started, was asked on CNN before the vote why he thought the president changed his mind on supporting the bill.
He can do math. I mean, Thomas Massey did a great job. We were working all weekend and had almost 100 Republicans who were going to vote for a bill in defiance of Donald Trump. And it's really a testament to their courage that despite the speaker keeping shutting down Congress, they persisted and we're now going to have this successful vote.
Yesterday's vote was the culmination of a years-long campaign that at times seemed like a long shot. The disclosures along the way have already damaged the reputations of prominent figures on the left and right, and the political battle has been a major strain on both chambers and has even fractured Trump from some of his most loyal supporters. It's not clear whether the release of more documents will satisfy campaigners, raise more questions, or simply reaffirm much of what we already know. Lisa Phillips, who says she suffered years of abuse by Epstein, was among the women speaking at a press conference shortly before the vote, and she explained what it meant for her.
It's an honor to stand here again for something America is finally united on, the immediate release of the entire Epstein files. In a divided nation, this is one demand we all share. Last time I stood here, I made a promise to all survivors watching. If those in power refused to release the truth, we would start uncovering it ourselves.
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Chapters
8 chapters
1
What is the main topic discussed in this episode?
0:04–0:42
2
How did Congress force the Justice Department to release the Jeffrey Epstein files?
0:42–1:23
3
Why did almost every lawmaker vote to release the Epstein documents?
1:23–2:32
4
What protections and redactions will accompany the public release of the files?
2:32–2:50
5
What immediate impact could the DOJ’s release of Epstein materials have on victims and politics?
2:50–4:53
6
What alternatives is the White House proposing instead of extending ACA subsidies?
4:53–5:41
7
How would diverting ACA subsidies into health savings accounts affect consumers?
5:41–7:44
8
Why is Iran described as ‘water bankrupt’ and what caused the crisis?
7:44–14:13
Speakers
7 identifiedMore from Apple News Today
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