The Epstein files are a vast cache of documents which include legal files, witness testimonies and flight logs, collected during an extensive US Justice Department investigation into the late financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein and his now jailed associate Ghislaine Maxwell. Epstein died in prison while awaiting trial having been charged with running a network of underage girls for sex.

President Donald Trump could have released them to the public at any time – it was a presidential campaign promise of his – but he fought for months to stop lawmakers voting through a bipartisan petition to release the files.

That finally happened on Tuesday – Trump issued “permission” to Republicans to vote in favour of the release. Hours later the Senate reached a unanimous agreement to pass the measure, which would clear it for the president’s signature. He has said he will sign the release. But when might that happen? And what will be released? And why did he give up the fight to keep the files secret?

Scott Lucas, political analyst and professor at UCD’s Clinton Institute, explains.

Presented by Bernice Harrison. Produced by Suzanne Brennan and Andrew McNair.

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