The Republican-led U.S. Congress voted almost unanimously on Tuesday to require the release of Justice Department files related to the late Jeffrey Epstein. The move came after President Donald Trump dropped months of opposition to the effort.
Just two days after Trump reversed his stance, the House of Representatives passed the measure in a 427–1 vote. The resolution demands the release of all unclassified records on Epstein. The Republican-controlled Senate quickly approved it as well. The bill could reach Trump for his signature as early as Wednesday.
A senior White House official confirmed that Trump intends to sign the bill once it arrives at his desk.
The Epstein case has been a political challenge for Trump. He has repeatedly promoted conspiracy theories surrounding Epstein’s death, and many of his supporters believe the government covered up Epstein’s ties to powerful individuals. Epstein died by suicide in a Manhattan jail in 2019.
Epstein, once a well-connected New York financier, had long socialized with influential figures in business and politics.
Survivors push for transparency
Before the House vote, about two dozen women who say Epstein abused them gathered at the U.S. Capitol with lawmakers from both parties. They held childhood photos of themselves, representing the age at which they say their abuse began. After the vote, many survivors stood and applauded from the public gallery, some crying and embracing one another.
Despite ending his opposition, Trump grew visibly angry when asked about the matter on Tuesday. During an Oval Office meeting with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Trump lashed out at a reporter and claimed he had “nothing to do with Jeffrey Epstein,” saying he removed him from his club years ago.
White House surprised by rapid progress
According to sources familiar with the situation, the White House did not expect such swift passage of the bill through Congress. The debate over the Epstein files has damaged Trump’s standing with voters. A recent Reuters/Ipsos poll showed his approval on the issue had dropped to its lowest level this year. Only 20% of all voters approved of his handling of the scandal, and only 44% of Republicans agreed.
Trump and Epstein were known to socialize in the 1990s and early 2000s before their relationship ended. For some Trump supporters, the past friendship has become a sensitive issue.
At a press conference earlier in the day, survivor Jena-Lisa Jones urged Trump to stop politicizing the case. She said Epstein abused her when she was 14 and criticized Trump’s behavior as “a national embarrassment.”
Trump has denied any link to Epstein’s crimes and has begun calling the controversy a “Democratic hoax.” Yet several Republicans have been among the strongest advocates for releasing the investigation files.
Representative Thomas Massie of Kentucky, who led the push for the vote, accused the Justice Department of “protecting pedophiles and sex traffickers.” He said the bill’s success would be measured by whether wealthy offenders are held accountable.
Internal GOP tensions grow
Trump’s earlier opposition also strained his relationship with Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene, one of his most vocal supporters. Greene has repeatedly demanded more transparency on Epstein. She said Trump pressured her to withdraw support and called her a traitor when she refused.
Greene ultimately joined Massie and Democratic Representative Ro Khanna in backing the resolution. She told reporters that a traitor serves foreign interests, while a patriot serves the United States and protects victims.
Epstein pleaded guilty to a Florida prostitution charge in 2008 and served 13 months. He was later charged by the Justice Department in 2019 with sex trafficking minors. Epstein pleaded not guilty before his death.
