Trump Calls on Republicans to Support Release of Epstein Files

U.S. President Donald Trump reversed course on Sunday, urging congressional Republicans to vote in favor of releasing federal files related to the late financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The shift comes as questions around Epstein’s network, high-profile associates, and the transparency of the Justice Department continue to fuel political tension and public speculation.

Posting on his Truth Social platform, Trump encouraged House Republicans to support full disclosure, arguing the party has “nothing to hide” and framing the push for transparency as a way to shut down what he called a “Democrat hoax.” His remarks followed House Speaker Mike Johnson’s statement that releasing the documents could help dispel unproven allegations linking Trump to Epstein’s criminal activities.

While photos of Trump and Epstein from decades ago have resurfaced in recent years, Trump has repeatedly emphasized that he distanced himself from Epstein long before the latter’s legal troubles. Recently released committee emails also suggested Epstein believed Trump “knew about the girls,” though the context and meaning of that statement remain unclear. Trump has dismissed the documents as politically motivated but has simultaneously directed the Department of Justice to investigate alleged ties between Epstein and prominent Democratic figures.

The renewed battle over transparency has created friction within Republican ranks. Many of Trump’s staunch supporters believe federal agencies are still concealing sensitive Epstein-related information that could expose influential individuals linked to the disgraced financier, who died by suicide in 2019 while awaiting trial. In a surprising political move, Trump withdrew his support for Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene after she criticized Republican leadership over their handling of the issue.

Democratic Representative Ro Khanna, who helped initiate the petition for a House vote, said he expects more than 40 Republicans to back the effort. With Republicans holding a narrow 219–214 majority, the vote could become a significant bipartisan moment in the ongoing debate over Epstein’s legacy, government transparency, and political accountability.