𝓤𝓷𝓲𝓽𝓮𝓭 𝓝𝓮𝔀𝓼

President Donald Trump has called on House Republicans to vote in favor of releasing files related to the Jeffrey Epstein case, marking a dramatic reversal from his previous stance of opposing the proposal, reports The Associated Press.

In a social media post shortly after returning to Joint Base Andrews from a weekend in Florida, Trump declared, “We have nothing to hide, and it’s time to move on from this Democrat Hoax perpetrated by Radical Left Lunatics in order to deflect from the Great Success of the Republican Party.”

Both Democrats and some Republicans have been advocating for a measure that would compel the Justice Department to make public additional documents from the Epstein case.

The president’s change of heart implicitly acknowledges that supporters of the measure have sufficient votes to secure its passage in the House, although its fate in the Senate remains uncertain.

Lawmakers predict overwhelming Republican support for Epstein bill

Lawmakers advocating for the release of files connected to the sex trafficking investigation into Jeffrey Epstein are anticipating a resounding victory in the House this week, with a “deluge of Republicans” expected to vote in favor of their bill, defying both the GOP leadership and President Donald Trump, who have long criticized their efforts.

The proposed legislation would require the Justice Department to release all files and communications pertaining to Epstein, as well as any information about the investigation into his death in federal custody, with allowances for the redaction of information about Epstein’s victims or ongoing federal investigations.

Massie and Khanna spearhead discharge petition to force vote

Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., one of the lawmakers discussing the legislation on Sunday news shows, expressed optimism about the bill’s prospects, stating, “There could be 100 or more” votes from Republicans.

“I’m hoping to get a veto-proof majority on this legislation when it comes up for a vote.” Massie and Rep. Ro Khanna, D-Calif., initiated a discharge petition in July to compel a vote on their bill, a seldom-successful tactic that enables a majority of members to circumvent House leadership and force a floor vote.

Speaker Johnson’s opposition and alleged delays

Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., had criticized the discharge petition effort and sent members home early for their August recess when the GOP’s legislative agenda was disrupted by the clamor for an Epstein vote.

Democrats also allege that the seating of Rep. Adelita Grijalva, D-Ariz., was delayed to postpone her becoming the 218th member to sign the petition and reach the threshold required to force a vote. She became the 218th signature moments after taking the oath of office last week.

Massie confident of victory despite criticism

Massie asserted that Johnson, Trump, and others who have been critical of his efforts would be “taking a big loss this week,” adding, “I’m not tired of winning yet, but we are winning.”

Trump’s association with Epstein and Justice Department records

Trump’s association with Epstein is well-documented, and the president’s name was included in records that his own Justice Department released in February as part of an effort to satisfy public interest in information from the sex-trafficking investigation.

However, Trump has never been accused of wrongdoing in connection with Epstein, and the mere inclusion of someone’s name in files from the investigation does not imply otherwise.

Epstein, who took his own life in jail in 2019 while awaiting trial, also had numerous prominent acquaintances in political and celebrity circles beyond Trump.