WASHINGTON, D.C. — The House of Representatives is poised to move forward on a bill to force the release of files related to Jeffrey Epstein, opening another chapter in the ongoing controversy around the late convicted sex offender and disgraced financier’s relationship with President Donald Trump.
What You Need To Know
- Enough lawmakers signed a petition to force a vote on legislation to release files related to Jeffrey Epstein
- Though President Trump warned Republicans against joining efforts to release more files, Rep. Warren Davidson, R-Ohio, said he would vote for the measure
- House Speaker Johnson said the House will vote on the measure next week
On Nov. 12, enough lawmakers signed a petition to force a vote on legislation that would mandate the Justice Department release all files related to Epstein, minus identifiable information about his victims, within 30 days of the bill passing.
Trump, who has argued the Epstein controversy is a distraction, is opposing the measure. House Speaker Mike Johnson has also opposed the measure and refused to bring it up for a vote, resulting in Democrats and four Republicans signing the discharge petition to force a vote.
The action comes after Democrats on the House Oversight Committee released emails Wednesday from Epstein that referenced Trump. One email from 2019 said that Trump “knew about the girls.”
Though the emails make clear that Epstein and Trump were once friends, as Trump has acknowledged, they do not allege any criminal behavior by the president.
Rep. Shontel Brown, D-Ohio, who sits on the Oversight Committee, said she supports the measure to release more files.
“The bottom line is we want the files should be released so that we can get to the bottom of this and give those who have been impacted by this pedophile the justice that they are long overdue,” she said.
Trump this week warned Republicans against joining efforts to release more files, posting on Truth Social, “Only a very bad, or stupid, Republican would fall into that trap.”
That admonition is not deterring Rep. Warren Davidson, R-Ohio, who said he plans to vote for the measure.
“If crimes have been committed, I want the Attorney General of the United States or the Attorneys General in the U.S. district courts to bring charges against individuals, for the evidence to come out at trial, where there’s convictions and jail time. That’s what I think the people want,” Davidson said.
Davidson added he thinks the files will not reveal any improper conduct by the president.
Even if the bill passes the House, it faces a frosty reception and uphill battle in the Republican-controlled Senate.
Speaker Johnson said the House will vote on the measure next week.
Harri Leigh
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