Washington, D.C. — The U.S. House of Representatives is poised to force the public release of Justice Department documents related to the late financier Jeffrey Epstein, following a dramatic turnaround by former President Donald Trump, who has abandoned his prior resistance to the move. (Reuters)
Trump’s Reversal
- Trump, who has long opposed the full disclosure of Epstein-related records, called on House Republicans to back the bill in a surprising U-turn. “House Republicans should vote to release the Epstein files, because we have nothing to hide,” he posted on his Truth Social platform. (The Guardian)
- He framed the reversal in political terms, calling the push to expose the files a “Democrat hoax” designed to distract from the recent successes of the Republican Party. (Al Jazeera)
- Trump added that he’s willing to let the Senate and others examine the files. “We’ll give them everything,” he said. “Let the Senate look at it, let anybody look at it.” (The Washington Post)
The Push for Transparency — and How It Got Here
- The vote follows a discharge petition in the House — a procedural maneuver that forces a bill out of committee and onto the floor — after Republicans and Democrats combined to reach the required 218 signatures. (Βικιπαίδεια)
- The legislation at the heart of the effort, the Epstein Files Transparency Act, was introduced by Representatives Ro Khanna (D-CA) and Thomas Massie (R-KY). (Βικιπαίδεια)
- The act would require the Justice Department to declassify and publicly release all unclassified records, communications, and investigative files connected to Epstein, while still preserving redactions for victim privacy. (The Washington Post)
- The vote is scheduled for November 18, 2025 — and supporters expect it to pass in the House. (Reuters)
Tensions Within the GOP
- Trump’s shift comes amid growing frustration within his own party. Rep. Thomas Massie, who helped drive the discharge petition, has been a vocal critic of keeping Epstein’s files under wraps. (The Washington Post)
- One high-profile point of friction has been Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, once a staunch Trump ally, who strongly backed the release. Her support for the files has strained her relationship with the former president. (The Washington Post)
- House Speaker Mike Johnson, who previously resisted bringing the issue to the floor, expressed earlier concerns about protecting victims’ identities. (Reuters)
Skepticism About Full Disclosure
- Despite the bipartisan push, some lawmakers have raised concerns about how complete the release will be. The bill allows the Justice Department to withhold or redact materials tied to ongoing investigations. (Reuters)
- Rep. Adelita Grijalva, who recently signed the petition, said she’s heard skepticism from across the aisle: how much will actually be disclosed? (Reuters)
The Senate Question
- While the vote in the House seems likely to pass, the bill’s fate in the Senate is far less certain. Republican leadership there has not committed to taking it up. (The Washington Post)
- Senate Majority Leader John Thune’s office has declined to comment on whether the Senate will act. (Reuters)
Political Fallout
- For Trump, the reversal is also seen through a political lens: polling suggests many Republicans are unhappy with how he has handled the Epstein issue, making his resistance a liability. (Reuters)
- Democrats, including House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, accused Trump of “caving” under pressure. (Reuters)
- Epstein survivors and advocacy groups have seized on the moment to demand full transparency, calling for accountability and for lessons to be learned. (The Washington Post)
Bottom line: A blockbuster vote is underway — Trump’s own party is being asked to force Justice Department transparency on Epstein’s case. His sudden shift may signal political damage control, but what remains to be seen is whether the files released will be as revealing as the public expects.