Trump Makes U-Turn, Backs House Vote to Release Epstein Files
US President Donald Trump has reversed his earlier position and is now urging House Republicans to support a vote to release files related to the Jeffrey Epstein case — a significant shift after previously opposing the measure.
Trump announced his new stance on social media shortly after returning to Washington from Florida, insisting the administration has “nothing to hide” and accusing Democrats of using the issue to distract from Republican successes.
The renewed push follows a bipartisan effort by Democrats and some Republicans to compel the Justice Department to make public additional documents connected to Epstein, including communications and files tied to the investigation into his 2019 death in federal custody. Sensitive information about victims and ongoing investigations would be exempt from release.
The president’s reversal signals recognition that lawmakers supporting the measure may already have enough backing to pass it in the House. Its fate in the Senate remains uncertain.
Republican lawmaker Thomas Massie, who co-sponsored the effort with Democrat Ro Khanna, said the bill could receive “100 or more” Republican votes. Massie and Khanna filed a rare discharge petition in July to force the vote — a procedural move that bypasses House leadership once 218 signatures are secured. The threshold was met last week after representative Adelita Grijalva was sworn in and added her signature.
House Speaker Mike Johnson, who previously resisted the petition, now appears prepared for the chamber to move forward, saying the House will “get this done” and allow the process to advance.
The push to release the Epstein files comes as newly surfaced documents revive questions about Epstein’s connections, including an email from 2019 in which he claimed Trump “knew about the girls.” The White House has accused Democrats of leaking selective information to damage the president.
While Trump’s past association with Epstein is widely documented, he has never been accused of any wrongdoing. His name appeared in files released by the Justice Department earlier this year under public-interest disclosure efforts. Epstein, who died by suicide while awaiting trial on sex-trafficking charges, had extensive ties to prominent figures across politics, business and entertainment.
As the House prepares for the vote, supporters of the measure say transparency is essential, while critics argue political motives are driving the renewed push.
