Legislation aimed at exposing Justice Department handling of Epstein case and institutional failures.
Congress Overwhelmingly Approves Epstein File Release
The Republican-controlled U.S. Congress on Tuesday passed a landmark bill forcing the release of Justice Department files on the late financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The House approved the measure by a vote of 427-1, sending it to the Senate, which unanimously passed it within hours. A senior White House official confirmed that President Donald Trump intends to sign the legislation, which could reach his desk as early as Wednesday.
Trump’s Abrupt Reversal
The rapid legislative movement stunned White House aides, as the Senate was expected to take longer. Trump’s sudden change of course followed months of political pressure and an internal Republican feud over how the Epstein case was handled. The financier’s 2019 jailhouse death, ruled a suicide, has long been a source of national scrutiny due to Epstein’s connections with influential figures.
Survivors Demand Transparency
Hours before the vote, roughly two dozen survivors of Epstein’s alleged abuse gathered at the U.S. Capitol, holding photos of themselves as teenagers and urging lawmakers to release the files. Many stood in the House gallery, applauding and embracing one another as the measure passed with overwhelming support. Survivor Jena-Lisa Jones, who said Epstein abused her at age 14, directly called on Trump to stop politicizing the matter, stating: “Please stop making this political… I voted for you, but your behavior on this issue has been a national embarrassment.”
Trump’s Response
Although he agreed to sign the bill, Trump expressed frustration over renewed attention on Epstein. Speaking from the Oval Office, he insisted, “I have nothing to do with Jeffrey Epstein,” adding that he expelled the financier from his club years ago. He also referred to the scandal as a “Democratic hoax” while criticizing reporters covering the story.
Political Fallout
Representative Thomas Massie, the Kentucky Republican who spearheaded the bill, accused the Justice Department of “protecting pedophiles and sex traffickers,” adding: “We will know this bill has been successful when rich men are in handcuffs.” Meanwhile, Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene revealed that Trump pressured her to withdraw support; after she refused, he publicly called her a “traitor,” straining a previously close political alliance.
A recent Reuters/Ipsos poll indicated Trump’s handling of the issue has cost him politically, with only 20% of voters approving, including 44% of Republicans — his lowest rating this year.
Background on Epstein
Epstein, a New York financier with extensive social ties among American elites, pleaded guilty to a Florida felony prostitution charge in 2008 and served 13 months. In 2019, he was charged with sex trafficking of minors; he pleaded not guilty before dying in a Manhattan jail. His past connections with Trump during the 1990s and early 2000s, before a personal “rift” according to Trump, have fueled ongoing speculation among critics and supporters alike.
The bill’s passage represents a significant moment for transparency and accountability in U.S. governance. Analysts note that the legislation not only addresses survivors’ demands for justice but also highlights the limits of presidential influence when bipartisan congressional support and public pressure converge. Trump’s reluctant acquiescence signals the power of institutional checks, while the case itself continues to raise questions about how wealth, influence, and politics intersect in high-profile criminal investigations.