The Republican-controlled US House of Representatives is poised to hold a crucial vote on Tuesday aimed at compelling the release of investigative files connected to the notorious pedophile Jeffrey Epstein. This development is part of an ongoing scandal that has followed Donald Trump since his return to the White House. In a notable change in stance, Trump revealed over the weekend that he would no longer oppose the release of files from the US Department of Justice's criminal investigation into Epstein. On Monday, he expressed his willingness to sign the measure if it successfully reached his desk.
Trump's association with Epstein has been a persistent controversy in American politics. The late financier, who was disgraced for his heinous crimes, had connections with numerous influential figures both domestically and internationally. While campaigning for re-election, Trump had pledged to unveil the files related to Epstein, who, according to investigators, committed suicide in a New York jail cell in 2019. However, Trump has not yet fulfilled this promise since resuming office.
The President's sudden shift in position appears to be influenced by the increasing likelihood that the bill will pass the House, likely garnering substantial support from Republican lawmakers. Trump and House Speaker Mike Johnson transitioned from outright opposition to more indifferent statements. In a recent social media post, Trump declared, “I DON’T CARE! All I do care about is that Republicans get BACK ON POINT.”
During a press briefing in the Oval Office on Monday, Trump stated that he did not wish for the Epstein scandal to detract from the White House's accomplishments. He referred to the issue as a “hoax” and a “Democrat problem.” Trump further noted, “We’ll give them everything. 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.”
As President, Trump possesses the authority to instruct the Justice Department to release documents in its possession, a power he has exercised in the past concerning records related to the assassinations of Martin Luther King and John F. Kennedy.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer tweeted directly at Trump, urging him to expedite the release of the files, stating, “Let’s make this easier. Just release the files now.” The push for transparency gained momentum in July when Democratic Congressman Ro Khanna and Republican Thomas Massie utilized a discharge petition strategy to force a vote on their bill, the Epstein Files Transparency Act, if a majority of the 435-member House signed on.
Despite Johnson's efforts to avoid a vote on the measure, accusations arose from Democrats suggesting that he delayed the swearing-in of Arizona Democrat Adelita Grijalva to prevent her from becoming the pivotal 218th signature on the petition. Shortly after being sworn in last week, Grijalva signed the petition.
Following Trump’s policy shift, various House Republicans, including key allies of the president, have indicated their intention to support the release of the Epstein files, suggesting the measure could pass with unanimous consent. Should the House approve the resolution, it would then proceed to the Senate, where a vote would be necessary before it could be sent to Trump for his signature. The office of Republican Senate Majority Leader John Thune did not provide comments regarding the bill’s future.
In a recent interview with Pod Save America, Khanna expressed optimism that the measure would progress “quickly” through the Senate. Emails released by a House committee indicated that Epstein believed Trump was aware of his criminal activities involving minors, although the exact meaning of this claim remains ambiguous. The White House responded by stating that the released emails contained no evidence of wrongdoing by Trump.
In recent developments, Trump directed the Justice Department to investigate the connections between prominent Democrats and Epstein. US Attorney General Pam Bondi, who previously reported that an examination of the files found no new investigative leads, assured Trump that she would prioritize the investigation and has appointed a prosecutor to lead the effort.
The Epstein scandal resonates deeply with a significant segment of Trump’s right-wing base, many of whom subscribe to various conspiracy theories surrounding Epstein and his powerful associates. Unlike other issues, the call for the release of the Epstein files has sparked a notable backlash from Trump’s supporters in both politics and the media, urging him to fulfill his commitment to transparency.
Furthermore, several survivors of Epstein's abuse have intensified their demands on Congress to support the release of these crucial files. “It’s time to bring the secrets out of the shadows,” one victim stated in a video released by the organization World Without Exploitation, encouraging citizens to contact their lawmakers to advocate for the release of additional records. Activists also projected an image of Trump alongside Epstein onto the Justice Department building, accompanied by the urgent message: “Release the files now.”
The Associated Press and Reuters contributed to this report, reflecting the ongoing importance of the Epstein files in American political discourse.