Epstein Files Transparency Act Advances Despite Trump's Shifting Stance: What Happens Next

Several survivors of Epstein's abuse plan to speak outside the Capitol on Tuesday morning. (File)

Washington:

The House is proceeding toward a vote on legislation that would compel the Justice Department to release its case files on the deceased financier Jeffrey Epstein, overcoming months of resistance from President Donald Trump and Republican leadership.

The campaign for greater transparency in the Epstein sex trafficking investigation has gained significant momentum since lawmakers returned to Washington following a nearly two-month government shutdown. Upon their return last week, new evidence emerged from Epstein's email archives, including allegations that Trump had "spent hours" at Epstein's residence with a trafficking victim and that he "knew about the girls."

These revelations and the upcoming vote represent a rare instance where Trump has been unable to maintain complete control over his party's position.

The Epstein sex trafficking case has continued to grow in political significance since his 2019 suicide in a Manhattan detention facility while awaiting trial on charges of sexually abusing and trafficking underage girls. Since his death, numerous additional victims have come forward.

Many lawmakers now argue that the Justice Department should release its Epstein case files, suggesting these documents could reveal others who were aware of or complicit in his crimes. House Democrats, along with several key Republicans, have successfully forced a vote on the bill through a rarely utilized procedure known as a discharge petition.

As it became evident the bill would pass the House with substantial Republican support, Trump and House Speaker Mike Johnson shifted from outright opposition to professed indifference.

"I DON'T CARE!" Trump declared in a Sunday social media post. "All I do care about is that Republicans get BACK ON POINT."

Representatives Ro Khanna, D-Calif., and Thomas Massie, R-Ky., initiated the petition in July to force consideration of their Epstein Files Transparency Act.

The effort received backing from all House Democrats and four Republicans: Massie and Representatives Lauren Boebert of Colorado, Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia, and Nancy Mace of South Carolina.

Shortly after Democrat Adelita Grijalva of Arizona was sworn in on Wednesday, she added her signature to the petition, securing the crucial 218th vote needed for a majority in the 435-member House.

Johnson subsequently announced he would expedite the petition process to bring the bill to the House floor this week.

The speaker has rejected accusations that he obstructed the legislation to protect Trump or others. He told reporters last week that Republicans had concerns about the bill's language, which he claimed inadequately protected victims.

Johnson has also repeatedly highlighted a parallel investigation into Epstein's crimes being conducted by the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee. Republicans controlling the committee have particularly emphasized Epstein's connections to Democrats, including former President Bill Clinton.

This oversight panel released the Epstein emails, part of 20,000 pages of documents obtained from his estate.

While the committee has subpoenaed the Justice Department for its Epstein case files, Democrats on the committee have described the response as insufficient.

The bill would require the Justice Department to release all files and communications related to Epstein, as well as information about the investigation into his prison death. The legislation would permit redactions of information regarding victims or ongoing federal investigations.

However, the department would be prohibited from redacting information due to "embarrassment, reputational harm, or political sensitivity, including to any government official, public figure, or foreign dignitary."

Several Epstein abuse survivors, joined by lawmakers, plan to speak outside the Capitol on Tuesday morning.

While the bill is virtually certain to pass the House, its Senate prospects remain uncertain.

It already has secured support from a House majority, with additional Republicans likely to vote for it in response to constituent demands.

The greater challenge will come in the Senate, where Republicans hold a 53-47 majority.

When asked in September whether the Senate would consider the Epstein bill if it passed the House, Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., responded, "I can't comment on that at this point."

Thune added that the Justice Department "has already released tons of files related to this matter."

"I trust them in terms of having the confidence that they'll get as much information out there as possible in a way that protects the rights of the victims," Thune said.

If the legislation passes both chambers, it would go to Trump. While he could veto it, he would face enormous pressure to sign it.

Trump attempted to persuade two Republicans last week to block the House discharge petition. After this effort failed, he appeared to alter his stance on the bill.

"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," Trump wrote on social media late Sunday after returning to Joint Base Andrews following a weekend in Florida.

A presidential veto could still be overridden with a two-thirds vote in both chambers, though this has occurred only twice since 2009.

Massie suggested Trump could avoid this entire situation by releasing all federally held Epstein files.

"There's still time for him to be the hero," Massie said of Trump.