Former President Donald Trump is intensifying pressure on congressional Republicans to block the full release of the Justice Department’s investigative files on Jeffrey Epstein, as the House prepares for a critical vote next week.
The push comes after the House reached the 218 signatures required to force a floor vote on legislation demanding the DOJ release all Epstein-related files within 30 days. The final signature was secured following the belated swearing-in of Democratic Representative Adelita Grijalva, whose seating had been delayed for nearly two months during the government shutdown.
The discharge petition, led by Rep. Thomas Massie (R) and Rep. Ro Khanna (D), is expected to attract support from dozens of Republicans who say their constituents want transparency. GOP lawmakers including Don Bacon, Tim Burchett, and Rob Bresnahan have publicly indicated they intend to vote in favor.
Direct Pressure on GOP Lawmakers
Trump’s team summoned Rep. Lauren Boebert, one of four Republicans who signed the petition, to the White House Situation Room for a meeting with Attorney General Pam Bondi and FBI Director Kash Patel to discuss her position. Trump also personally phoned Boebert urging her to reverse course.
He tried reaching Rep. Nancy Mace, another Republican signer, though they did not connect. Mace later posted a statement describing the matter as “deeply personal,” referencing her own experience as a survivor of sexual abuse and saying she could not change her stance supporting the release.
New Emails Intensify Debate
As the lobbying effort unfolded, Democrats on the House Oversight Committee released three previously unseen emails suggesting Trump had knowledge of Epstein’s conduct. One email quoted Epstein saying “of course [Trump] knew about the girls,” while another described Trump as a “dog that hasn’t barked” and claimed he had “spent hours” with one victim at Epstein’s residence.
Trump’s team dismissed the emails as selectively chosen and misleading. In response, Republicans made public more than 20,000 additional documents, including records showing Epstein monitored Trump’s air travel and continued to track news about him years after their relationship deteriorated.
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Legislation Faces Uphill Battle
Even if the House passes the bill, its future is uncertain. Senate leadership has not indicated support, and Trump — despite promising file releases during his campaign, has denounced the effort as a “Democrat hoax.”
Earlier this year, the Justice Department announced it would release no further details about the Epstein case, fueling public pressure for greater transparency regarding the late financier’s activities, associates, and the scope of the federal investigation.
A final House vote is expected next week.
