What's in the Epstein files — and when could they be released? Here's what to know after Trump signs bill

The Epstein files, or documents from the FBI and DOJ investigation into Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell, are slated to become public in the next 30 days.

The Justice Department's records related to Jeffrey Epstein are on their way to becoming public after President Donald Trump signed the "Epstein Files Transparency Act," but what could be in them, and when could the public actually see them?

Here's a look at what's known about the release so far — and what can be expected.

The term "Epstein files" has come to essentially mean all documents related to civil and criminal cases involving the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Epstein was awaiting trial on federal sex trafficking charges when he died by suicide in his jail cell in 2019.

The indictment alleged that he sought out minors, some as young as 14, from at least 2002 through 2005 and paid them hundreds of dollars in cash for sexual acts at either his New York City townhouse or his estate in Palm Beach, Florida.

He was under investigation in Florida of allegations he preyed on a number of young victims in the mid-2000s but ultimately cut a deal to plead guilty to state charges involving just one minor. The Justice Department said this year that he had 1,000 victims.