U.S. President Donald Trump has urged House Republicans to vote for the release of the Epstein files, marking a clear reversal from his earlier hesitation and triggering fresh momentum behind legislation that would compel the Justice Department to publish the materials.
Trump made the call in a late-night post on Truth Social, saying Republicans “have nothing to hide” and should move ahead with releasing the documents. His shift comes as dozens of Republicans signal they may break ranks and support a vote expected later this week.
If approved, the measure would force the publication of unclassified records, communications and investigative files linked to Jeffrey Epstein, who died in prison in 2019.
The bill, known as the Epstein Files Transparency Act, appears to have enough support to pass the House, though its path in the Senate remains uncertain. Trump would also need to sign the legislation if it clears both chambers.
Republican Representative Thomas Massie, a co-sponsor of the bill, said as many as one hundred Republicans could vote in favour. Support also comes from Democrats, including Representative Ro Khanna, who has long backed wider disclosure of the case.
Trump posted his statement shortly after returning from Florida, insisting the Justice Department had already turned over “tens of thousands of pages” and accusing Democrats of using the issue to damage him politically.
He said he had directed Attorney General Pam Bondi and the FBI to examine Epstein’s links to prominent Democrats, including former President Bill Clinton, claims the Clinton team strongly denies.
The renewed push follows the release of email exchanges published by Democrats on the House Oversight Committee last week.
The documents include correspondence between Epstein and his associate Ghislaine Maxwell, with one 2011 message referencing Trump in unclear terms. Maxwell is currently serving a 20-year sentence for sex trafficking. She pleaded not guilty to all federal charges against her and maintained her innocence throughout the trial and was convicted in December 2021.
In response, House Republicans released a larger trove of twenty thousand pages, accusing Democrats of selectively using evidence to “create a fake narrative” aimed at Trump. Lawmakers then moved to schedule a vote on broader disclosure.
The political fallout has deepened tensions within the Republican Party. Trump has publicly clashed with Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene, once one of his most loyal allies, calling her a “traitor” after she criticised his approach to the files. Greene questioned whether Trump was still putting “America First”.
Epstein survivors and the family of Virginia Giuffre, a prominent accuser (who died by suicide in Australia in April this year aged 41), have also urged Congress to support the release. In a letter to lawmakers, they appealed for transparency, saying the vote would show whether elected officials stand with victims or with powerful figures connected to Epstein.
The coming House vote is expected to draw nationwide scrutiny as both parties confront longstanding questions over how authorities handled the Epstein case and who may be implicated in the files.
The Iranian Health Ministry said at least 18 people were killed and 142 others injured in U.S. airstrikes carried out between 30 August 30 and 2 Se...
Russian President Vladimir Putin has said that he thinks there is a chance of a peace being reached with Ukraine. He told ...
Hua Hong Semiconductor, China's second-largest contract chipmaker, is investing $2 billion to build a new fabrication plant in Wuxi, China as p...
Russian President Vladimir Putin has said that he thinks there is a chance of a peace being reached with Ukraine. He told the Eastern Economic Forum in Vladivostok, Russia that he believed there was "a chance of finding a solution," to the conflict.
The U.S. has launched a fresh wave of strikes on Iran, targeting Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) sites as Tehran retaliated against U.S. positions across the region, while Iranian officials said at least five people were killed and dozens wounded at a wedding near Sirik.
The Iranian Health Ministry said at least 18 people were killed and 142 others injured in U.S. airstrikes carried out between 30 August 30 and 2 September.
The European Union's foreign policy chief Kaia Kallas says the bloc will tighten enforcement of sanctions against Russia over its war in Ukraine. EU foreign ministers were meeting in Ireland following renewed Russian strikes on cities across Ukraine.
Start your day informed with the AnewZ Morning Brief. Here are the top stories for the 3rd of September, covering the latest developments.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has said that he thinks there is a chance of a peace being reached with Ukraine. He told the Eastern Economic Forum in Vladivostok, Russia that he believed there was "a chance of finding a solution," to the conflict.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has rejected claims that Moroccan authorities orchestrated July’s deadly mass border crossing into Ceuta, saying Spain has found no evidence that Rabat planned or carried out the incident.
Denmark’s Security and Intelligence Service, PET, has warned that Russia is actively preparing sabotage operations against targets in the country, with defence companies supporting Ukraine seen as a particular focus.
Pakistan and Kyrgyzstan have agreed to raise bilateral trade to $200 million within two years, as Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif concluded a three-day visit to Kyrgyzstan.
The latest escalation between the United States and Iran is being fought not only on the ground and at sea, but increasingly in the skies above the Gulf where a missile launch or intercepted drone can force an aircraft thousands of metres above the region to change course.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment