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.
U.S. and Pakistani leaders forecast a Sunday signing of a long-elusive framework agreement to end fighting between the United States and Iran, as Reut...
Tajikistan has strengthened its position as one of Central Asia’s fastest-growing economies. According to the European Bank for Reconstruction and D...
The New York Knicks defeated the San Antonio Spurs 94-90 to close out the series 4-1 and claim their first NBA championship since 1973, sparking celeb...
In the runup to the G7 summit, hosted by France in Évian-les-Bains on Monday, 15 June, China has addressed global economic balances in a videoconfer...
Switzerland on Sunday rejected a referendum proposal to cap its population at 10 million, a projection showed, as voters prioritised economic stabilit...
Tajikistan has strengthened its position as one of Central Asia’s fastest-growing economies. According to the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), the trend is supported by investment activity, industrial expansion and large-scale infrastructure projects.
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has urged Georgia to implement reforms to tackle youth unemployment. Nearly 30 per cent of people aged 15-24 are without a job in the country, according to World Bank data.
British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has pledged to publish the UK government's long-awaited Defence Investment Plan ahead of next month's NATO summit in Ankara, following growing pressure over the UK's military spending commitments.
Hundreds of protesters have torn down fences surrounding a planned luxury development site in Albania, as public anger continues to mount over construction in environmentally sensitive areas.
Pakistan has warned that any attempt by India to block or significantly reduce river flows under the Indus Waters Treaty could have “far-reaching consequences”, after India's water minister said New Delhi was working to ensure that “not a single drop” of water reaches Pakistan in the coming years.
SpaceX made a historic entrance into the Nasdaq on Friday, surging over 20% in its first day of trading and lifting its valuation to more than $2 trillion. Investors flocked to the world’s largest IPO, betting on Elon Musk’s sprawling empire spanning rockets, AI and beyond.
Armenia has every right to choose Europe. But Europe’s support for Armenia’s direction should not become automatic approval of its political process.
U.S. President Donald Trump has said a peace agreement with Iran is scheduled to be signed on Sunday in a post on social media, despite Tehran's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei saying no deal would be approved this weekend.
Japan’s birth rate and fertility levels have fallen to their lowest levels on record, highlighting the country’s worsening demographic crisis as fewer people marry and have children.
The New York Knicks defeated the San Antonio Spurs 94-90 to close out the series 4-1 and claim their first NBA championship since 1973, sparking celebrations across New York City.
In the runup to the G7 summit, hosted by France in Évian-les-Bains on Monday, 15 June, China has addressed global economic balances in a videoconference hosted by French President Emmanuel Macron. It is a rarity for Beijing to engage directly with the group.
Switzerland on Sunday rejected a referendum proposal to cap its population at 10 million, a projection showed, as voters prioritised economic stability and the country's ties with the European Union over immigration concerns.
Romania's centrist President Nicușor Dan on Sunday designated Adrian Veștea, a member of the liberal party, as prime minister, after independent candidate Eugen Tomac withdrew.
North Korea said on Sunday, 14 June, that denuclearisation is a matter that is irreversibly terminated, in a condemnation of recent nuclear deterrence talks between the U.S. and South Korea.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment