WASHINGTON: Former US President Donald Trump on Sunday called on House Republicans to vote for the release of Justice Department documents related to the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, reversing his earlier stance. Trump said in a Truth Social post that Republicans should approve the release “because we have nothing to hide” and to move past what he described as a “Democrat hoax.”
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The move follows House Speaker Mike Johnson’s statement that a vote on the files could help clarify allegations about Trump’s ties to Epstein. Although Trump and Epstein were photographed together decades ago, the former president has maintained that the two men fell out prior to Epstein’s convictions.
Recent emails released by a House committee indicated Epstein believed Trump “knew about the girls,” though the meaning remains unclear. Trump has also directed the Department of Justice to investigate prominent Democrats’ links to Epstein.
The debate over the disclosure has caused tension within Trump’s Republican allies in Congress. Some loyal supporters contend that the government is withholding documents that could reveal Epstein’s connections to powerful public figures. California Democrat Ro Khanna, a co-sponsor of the petition for the vote, said he expects over 40 Republicans to support releasing the files.
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With Republicans holding a narrow House majority of 219 to 214, the vote could shed new light on Epstein-related investigations while further polarizing political lines.