The Republican-controlled US House of Representatives is expected to vote today, Tuesday, on the release of investigative files related to the Jeffrey Epstein case. Passage of the legislation appears all but certain after President Donald Trump reversed his long-standing opposition to the move.
Trump’s reversal came late Sunday, after a discharge petition garnered sufficient support in the House to force a vote, a rare instance of Republicans defying the president’s wishes. Until the beginning of the week, Trump and his aides had reportedly worked diligently to halt the release of further files related to the Justice Department’s criminal investigation into Epstein, a wealthy New York financier and one-time acquaintance of Trump.
In a message posted on social media Sunday evening, Trump wrote, “House Republicans should vote to release the Epstein files, because we have nothing to hide,” describing the controversy surrounding the matter as a “hoax” by Democrats. Democrats, and even some of Trump’s supporters, argue there is nothing deceptive about releasing original Justice Department records.
Robert Garcia, a Representative from California and the ranking Democrat on the House Oversight Committee, stated that Trump “tried with all his might to kill the Jeffrey Epstein investigation.” He added in a statement, “He failed. And now he’s panicked.”
A senior White House official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said Trump announced the change in his position because he had grown weary of Republicans’ focus on the Epstein files and wanted them to concentrate on the cost of living and other issues more relevant to voters. House Speaker Mike Johnson has indicated he believes the vote will proceed as planned.
The release of these files is expected to shed further light on the network of individuals associated with Epstein and the extent of his alleged crimes. The identities of many victims are also expected to be revealed, potentially reopening old wounds and raising new questions about the handling of the original investigation.
