Breaking News:Lawmakers Give Trump 72-Hour Ultimatum as Impeachment Threat Looms Over Epstein Files Dispute

Washington is bracing for another high-stakes political confrontation after a group of U.S. senators warned that an impeachment vote could be brought to the floor within 72 hours unless the Trump administration complies with demands related to the release of records connected to the late financier Jeffrey Epstein.

At the center of the controversy is the Epstein Files Transparency Act, legislation passed by Congress with overwhelming bipartisan support and later signed by President Donald Trump.

The law legally required the Department of Justice (DOJ) to release Epstein-related records within 30 days, with the stated goal of restoring public trust and ensuring transparency in one of the most disturbing criminal cases in recent history.

Lawmakers Say DOJ Missed the Deadline

According to senators from both parties, the DOJ failed to meet the law’s requirements. Lawmakers claim that:

The 30-day deadline was missed
Only a small fraction of the required documents were released

Many of the released records were heavily redacted, obscuring key names, timelines, and institutional details

This has triggered bipartisan outrage with critics arguing that the administration is undermining a law it signed and obstructing Congress’s intent.

“This wasn’t optional,” one senator said. “The president signed the law. The Justice Department is legally obligated to follow it.”

Why the Epstein Files Matter

The Epstein case has long fueled public suspicion due to Epstein’s powerful connections, prior plea deal, and death in federal custody. The Transparency Act was designed to address lingering questions about:

Who may have enabled or protected Epstein

Whether institutions failed to act on credible warnings

Whether influential figures escaped scrutiny

Lawmakers argue that withholding or excessively redacting records only deepens public mistrust and reinforces fears of a two-tier justice system.

Impeachment Threat Escalates Pressure

Frustration over the DOJ’s response has now escalated into direct political pressure. Several senators have warned that if full compliance does not occur within 72 hours they will move to initiate impeachment proceedings—arguing that ignoring a duly enacted law constitutes a serious abuse of executive authority.

Notably, the anger is not confined to one party. While Democrats have led many of the criticisms, some Republicans have also expressed concern that the administration is failing to honor transparency commitments.

“This isn’t about party,” one lawmaker said. “It’s about whether the rule of law applies to everyone.”

White House and DOJ Response

So far, the White House has defended the DOJ, citing legal constraints, privacy protections, and the need to safeguard ongoing or sensitive matters. DOJ officials have argued that redactions are necessary to protect victims and prevent the release of unverified or harmful information.

Critics, however, counter that the scope of redactions goes far beyond victim protection and appears designed to shield powerful interests.

What Happens Next

The next 72 hours could prove decisive. Congress may:

Demand immediate, unredacted disclosures

Subpoena additional records or officials
Move forward with impeachment proceedings if compliance is not met

The standoff has once again thrust the Epstein case—and broader questions about transparency, accountability, and executive power—back into the national spotlight.

Whether this confrontation ends in document disclosures or a dramatic impeachment vote, lawmakers are making one thing clear:the fight over the Epstein files is far from over—and patience in Congress has run out.