President Donald Trump has intensified efforts to persuade congressional Republicans to oppose the full release of Justice Department files related to Jeffrey Epstein, ahead of a pivotal House vote expected next week. Dozens of Republicans are anticipated to support the measure demanding transparency on the investigation.
The recent swearing-in of Democratic Representative Adelita Grijalva on Wednesday delayed for nearly two months during the government shutdown provided the final signature needed to bring the discharge petition, led by Republican Thomas Massie and Democrat Ro Khanna, to the 218 signatures required to force a floor vote. The legislation would require the Justice Department to release all investigative files on Epstein within 30 days. Several Republican lawmakers, including Don Bacon (Nebraska), Tim Burchett (Tennessee), and Rob Bresnahan (Pennsylvania), have publicly indicated they intend to support the measure in response to constituent demand for greater transparency.
CNN reported that top officials summoned Representative Lauren Boebert, one of four Republicans backing the petition, to a White House Situation Room meeting with Attorney General Pam Bondi and FBI Director Kash Patel to discuss her stance. Trump also personally called Boebert on Tuesday, the day before Grijalva’s swearing-in secured the petition’s final signature. Efforts to reach Representative Nancy Mace, another Republican signatory, were unsuccessful. Mace reportedly sent a detailed letter to Trump explaining her position as a survivor of sexual abuse and why she could not change her support for the release. She emphasized on X that “the Epstein petition is deeply personal.”
The lobbying from Trump’s team coincided with the release of three emails by House Democrats suggesting that Trump was aware of Epstein’s misconduct. One email reportedly quoted Epstein as saying, “of course [Trump] knew about the girls,” while another referred to Trump as a “dog that hasn’t barked” and mentioned he had spent time with a victim at Epstein’s residence. Trump’s team countered that the emails were selectively presented. Republican representatives later released a larger collection of over 20,000 documents, which included records showing that Epstein’s staff tracked Trump’s air travel and that Epstein continued to follow news about Trump even after their friendship ended.
Even if the House passes the bill, it would still require Senate approval and the president’s signature. Senate leaders have not indicated plans to advance the legislation, and Trump, who previously pledged to release the files during his campaign, has dismissed the current effort as a “Democrat hoax.”
Earlier this year, the Justice Department announced it would not release further details about the case, sparking renewed public demand for full disclosure of files related to Epstein’s activities.
