The House of Representatives is expected to vote overwhelmingly on Tuesday to demand that the Justice Department release all documents related to its investigation of the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
President Donald Trump, who initially opposed the release, reversed his position Sunday night and stated he would sign the measure if it reaches his desk. For the bill to become law, it must also pass the Senate, which could consider it as early as Tuesday evening.
For months, Republicans resisted calls to release the Epstein files, arguing the issue was being used by Democrats to distract from GOP legislative achievements. That stance shifted dramatically when Trump encouraged Republicans to support the release, insisting there was “nothing to hide.”
Trump’s reversal came after lawmakers on the House Oversight Committee released 20,000 documents from Epstein’s private estate, which referenced the former president over 1,000 times. In private emails, Epstein allegedly claimed Trump “spent hours” at his residence and “knew about the girls,” reigniting congressional pressure for full disclosure.
Despite previously opposing the release, Trump has consistently denied any wrongdoing in connection with Epstein. The convicted sex offender and alleged sex trafficker died by suicide in federal custody in 2019.
Many of Trump’s MAGA supporters have called for the files to be made public, believing they may contain revelations about prominent figures involved in Epstein’s abuse of over 200 women and girls. Tensions rose after Attorney General Pam Bondi said in July that no “Epstein client list” existed, contradicting her earlier comments that the list awaited review.
Trump’s latest support for releasing the files appears aimed at preventing political fallout, as an increasing number of House Republicans have joined Democrats in backing the measure. The Epstein files have fueled months of division in Congress, even straining the MAGA movement and prompting Trump to distance himself from Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene, who had long supported him.
Greene described the dispute over the files as tearing the MAGA movement apart and questioned whether the Department of Justice would fully release the documents once approved. Several Epstein survivors joined lawmakers at a Capitol Hill press conference, stressing the importance of public access to the files. Haley Robson, a survivor, expressed cautious optimism, questioning Trump’s motives despite his pledge to sign the bill.
If enacted, the legislation would prevent Attorney General Bondi from withholding, delaying, or redacting any records related to Epstein for reasons of embarrassment, reputational harm, or political sensitivity. However, some provisions could allow certain records connected to the president to remain confidential.
FBI Director Kash Patel previously ordered a review of the entire investigation file, with redactions applied to protect Trump’s privacy. Representative Thomas Massie warned that failure to release the files after Congress passes the bill would be illegal.
As the House prepares to vote, Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene raised concerns that the Justice Department might withhold critical documents, calling the release a “real test” of transparency. Trump’s involvement, including directing Bondi to examine Epstein’s connections to prominent Democrats like Bill Clinton, has added another layer of complexity and potential delay.
Despite weeks of tension and partisan disagreement, the House vote marks a significant step toward public access to some of the most closely scrutinized documents in recent congressional history, with survivors and lawmakers alike watching closely.
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