US House Set to Vote on Release of Epstein Files Amid Renewed Scrutiny
In a major development, the US House of Representatives has announced a vote next week on the release of government files related to the late financier and convicted sex offender, Jeffrey Epstein. The move comes amidst growing pressure from both Republican and Democratic representatives and amid renewed scrutiny of President Donald Trump's ties to Epstein.
Background
The vote was triggered by the swearing-in of Rep. Adelita Grijalva, D-Ariz., who became the 218th signatory to advance a discharge petition on a bill instructing the Department of Justice to release its Epstein-related documentation. I will sign the discharge petition right now to release the Epstein files. It's past time for Congress to restore its role as the check and balance on this administration,
said Grijalva, in her new role as a member of Congress.
Key Developments and Details
The vote comes as newly released emails have reignited scrutiny of President Trump's relationship with Epstein. Democrats on the House Oversight Committee released emails this week in which Epstein suggested that Trump was aware of the financier’s sexual abuse and knew about the girls
. This disclosure of about 20,000 pages from Republican members of the committee related to Epstein comes as Trump continues to battle with the political fallout.
These files have sparked reactions from both sides, with the White House slamming the Democrats for selectively leaking emails to create a narrative to smear President Trump. The Democrats selectively leaked emails to the liberal media to create a fake narrative to smear President Trump,
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said in a statement to Fox News Digital.
Reactions and Implications
The vote and the disclosure of the emails have wider political implications as they carry the possibility of turning segments of Trump's base against him. Representative Lauren Boebert, one of the Republicans pressing for more Epstein disclosures, was summoned for a meeting in the White House Situation Room.
However, Trump's attempts to press two female members of Congress to withdraw backing for the vote appear to have failed. The reported refusal of Lauren Boebert and Nancy Macy, from South Carolina, to remove their names from the discharge petition leaves Trump exposed on an issue that carries the possibility of turning segments of his MAGA base against him.
Current Status
Even if the bill passes the House, it will still need to get through the Senate before the files can be released. The Speaker of the House, Mike Johnson, has confirmed that he will put the bill compelling the release of Epstein's files on the House floor next week.
The planned vote and the release of the new emails have reignited the Epstein controversy, putting the spotlight once again on the extent of Trump's involvement with the late financier. As the vote approaches, both sides of the political aisle are bracing for potential implications and repercussions.