Growing Pressure Over Epstein Records
President Donald Trump said on Monday that he would sign legislation requiring the Justice Department to release all files connected to sex offender Jeffrey Epstein if the bill reaches his desk, offering a clear shift after months of resistance. During an Oval Office event where he took questions from reporters, Trump responded to inquiries about the proposal by saying, “I’m all for it,” while arguing that the debate surrounding the records had become a distraction from accomplishments made by his administration. When pressed again minutes later about whether he would approve the bill that the House is expected to consider on Tuesday, Trump again affirmed his position, stating, “Sure I would.” He then added that lawmakers should review the contents, saying, “Let the Senate look at it. Let anybody look at it. But don’t talk about it too much, because, honestly, I don’t want it to take away from us. It’s really a Democrat problem.”
This marked a notable reversal from Trump’s stance the day before, when he urged House Republicans to support releasing the files after months of opposing the measure. His earlier resistance had recently included what sources described as an attempt inside the White House Situation Room to persuade GOP Rep. Lauren Boebert not to support a discharge petition that would force a vote. The shift drew immediate attention from lawmakers who have been pushing for the disclosures, including Kentucky Republican Rep. Thomas Massie, a co-sponsor of the bill. Massie had said on ABC’s This Week that he believed 100 or more Republicans might vote in favor of releasing the records. After Trump expressed support for signing the measure if it passes the Senate, Massie posted on X, “Looking forward to attending this bill signing.”
Uncertainty Over What May Ultimately Be Released
Despite the change in tone, it remains unclear whether the complete set of documents will ultimately be made public. While the House is expected to advance the legislation, its fate in the Senate is uncertain. Senate Majority Leader John Thune has not committed to scheduling a vote, leaving the timeline unresolved. Senate Majority Whip John Barrasso said on NBC’s Meet the Press that the Senate would “take a look” at whatever the House sends over. Barrasso also said, “I’m not sure what evidence is out there. What I do know is that the House is going to vote this week, try to make a decision, and we’ll see if they send something to the Senate. And if they do, we’ll take a look at that. But we want transparency and accountability. What I also know is that Jeffrey Epstein is a convicted sex offender and he is dead. And President Trump threw him out of Mar-a-Lago 21 years ago.” In addition to the legislation, a new Department of Justice investigation has begun at Trump’s request, examining ties between Epstein and high-profile Democrats, including former President Bill Clinton.
Trump’s social media post encouraging Republicans to vote for the release also noted that the House Oversight Committee “can have whatever they are legally entitled to.” The broader controversy began in July, when the Justice Department and FBI released a memo stating there would be no further public disclosures from their review of Epstein’s case, noting that investigators “did not uncover evidence that could predicate an investigation against uncharged third parties.” This decision ignited widespread calls from lawmakers and the public for transparency about the case and individuals connected to Epstein.
