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Trump shifts position on Epstein documents ahead of House vote
U.S. President Donald Trump abruptly called on Republican lawmakers Tuesday to support releasing additional files tied to Jeffrey Epstein, reversing his earlier opposition as dissent grew within his party. The House of Representatives is set to vote later today on legislation demanding the Justice Department publish all Epstein-related records in a searchable format within 30 days.
Mounting pressure forces policy reversal
Trump's about-face follows days of escalating tension, with multiple Republicans signaling they would defy the president and House Speaker Mike Johnson to back the measure. In a Monday post on Truth Social, Trump declared, "We have nothing to hide," a stark contrast to his prior resistance. The bill's passage in the House appears likely, though its fate in the Republican-led Senate remains uncertain.
Procedural debates are scheduled to begin at 10:00 EST (15:00 GMT), with discussions expected to stretch for hours. Advocates, including Epstein victims, plan to lobby lawmakers on Capitol Hill and hold press conferences throughout the day.
Scope of potential disclosures
The proposed release could encompass documents linked to Ghislaine Maxwell, Epstein's convicted co-conspirator, as well as internal Justice Department files and references to government officials named in the case. However, the bill includes provisions allowing the attorney general to redact or withhold material that:
- Invades personal privacy without justification,
- Compromises active federal investigations or prosecutions, or
- Exposes sensitive law enforcement techniques.
"Simply letting anything out could reveal private information irrelevant to public interest," warned Jonathan Entin, a constitutional law professor at Case Western Reserve University. "There may also be concerns about disclosing investigative methods."
Jonathan Entin, constitutional law professor
Senate hurdles and partisan divisions
Even if the House approves the measure, Senate Majority Leader John Thune has not committed to bringing it to a vote. Thune previously downplayed Republican interest in the files but acknowledged a successful House vote could shift dynamics. Senate Majority Whip John Barrasso dismissed the effort as a Democratic ploy to undermine Trump, telling NBC's Meet the Press, "This is about making President Trump a lame-duck president."
Trump doubled down on partisan framing Monday, claiming Epstein's associations were "a Democrat problem" and calling the scandal a "hoax" to overshadow Republican achievements. He vowed to launch investigations into Democrats like Bill Clinton and Larry Summers, raising concerns about potential delays if prosecutors cite ongoing probes to withhold documents.
Advocates demand full transparency
Critics, including Republican Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, argue partial releases would fuel skepticism. "I have no idea what's in the files," Greene told CNN. "But the question everyone is asking is-why fight this so hard?" Legal experts warn that even if signed into law, redactions and investigative exemptions could leave key details obscured, prolonging calls for accountability.
Next steps
If the Senate approves the bill, Trump has pledged to sign it. Yet the Justice Department retains broad discretion to limit disclosures, ensuring the fight over transparency-and the political fallout-will likely continue regardless of Tuesday's vote.
