Epstein abuse survivor Lisa Phillips speaks throughout a information convention with lawmakers on the Epstein Information Transparency Act outdoors the U.S. Capitol on November 18, 2025 in Washington, DC.
Heather Diehl | Getty Photographs
The Home on Tuesday voted almost unanimously to order the Division of Justice to launch all of its recordsdata on infamous intercourse offender Jeffrey Epstein, two days after President Donald Trump abruptly dropped his opposition to the bipartisan invoice.
The invoice, introduced by Reps. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., and Ro Khanna, D-Calif., handed 427-1. It can now head to the Senate.
Rep. Clay Higgins, R-La., the one consultant to oppose the laws, stated in an X submit proper after the vote that he has “been a principled ‘NO’ on this invoice from the start.”
“If enacted in its present type, the sort of broad reveal of legal investigative recordsdata, launched to a rabid media, will completely lead to harmless individuals being damage,” he wrote.
The push to launch the Epstein recordsdata had beforehand confronted opposition from extra GOP lawmakers, following the lead of Trump, whose White Home had warned that backing the hassle could be thought of a “hostile act.”
Whereas Trump on Sunday evening all of the sudden urged Home Republicans to vote in favor of the invoice, he has continued to fume concerning the continued concentrate on Epstein within the media and on Capitol Hill.
When ABC Information reporter Mary Bruce requested Trump concerning the Epstein recordsdata earlier Tuesday afternoon, he lashed out, repeatedly insulting her and calling for ABC’s broadcast license to be revoked.
He reiterated that the Epstein matter “is a Democrat hoax to attempt to get me not to have the ability to speak about” his administration’s accomplishments.
A discharge petition that may have compelled a vote on the invoice earlier was delayed for weeks as Home Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., saved representatives out of session throughout the federal government shutdown. The extended absence additionally delayed the swearing-in of Democratic Rep. Adelita Grijalva of Arizona, the ultimate signature wanted to maneuver the petition ahead.
The shutdown ended final Wednesday and Grijalva, after being sworn in, signed the discharge petition. However, with stress mounting, Johnson stated he would convey the Epstein invoice to a vote sooner than anticipated.
WASHINGTON, DC – NOVEMBER 18: U.S. Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY) (C) speaks throughout a information convention with Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) and U.S. Rep. Ro Khanna (D-CA) on the Epstein Information Transparency Act outdoors the U.S. Capitol on November 18, 2025 in Washington, DC.
Heather Diehl | Getty Photographs
“Immediately, we stand in a second that can determine whether or not our authorities nonetheless belongs to the American individuals, or to those that prey on them,” stated a survivor of Epstein’s abuse who spoke alongside a bunch of others at a information convention outdoors the U.S. Capitol on Tuesday morning.
The survivors have been joined by Massie, Khanna and GOP Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia, a longtime Trump loyalist who has just lately change into considered one of his critics.
“He referred to as me a traitor for standing with these ladies and refusing to take my title off the discharge petition,” Greene stated of Trump on the presser.
“Immediately, you’re going to see, most likely a unanimous vote within the Home to launch the Epstein recordsdata. However the battle, the true battle, will occur after that,” she stated.
Johnson stated later Tuesday morning that he would vote for the invoice, which he acknowledged might get unanimous assist. However he however accused Democrats of “forcing a political present vote on the Epstein recordsdata,” and spoke at size about his points with the discharge petition.
One in all his critiques has been that Epstein’s victims is probably not adequately protected. Massie, requested earlier Tuesday about Johnson’s stance, referred to as it a “pink herring.”
“The survivors have at all times been in favor of this laws,” he stated, noting that the invoice instructs the DOJ to redact victims’ names and figuring out data.
Speaker of the Home Mike Johnson (R-LA) speaks throughout a press convention on Capitol Hill on November 18, 2025 in Washington, DC. Johnson addressed the “Epstein Information” forward of a Home vote on laws which instructs the U.S. Division of Justice to launch all recordsdata associated to the late accused intercourse trafficker Jeffrey Epstein.
Roberto Schmidt | Getty Photographs
Trump, a former pal of Epstein’s who had a falling out with him years earlier, stated on the marketing campaign path that he would assist releasing the federal government’s recordsdata from its investigations into the rich and well-connected financier. Epstein died in jail in 2019 whereas dealing with federal intercourse trafficking prices.
However Trump’s DOJ stated in a July 6 memo that it had carried out an “exhaustive assessment” of Epstein-related issues and decided “that no additional disclosure could be applicable or warranted.”
That dedication, and Trump’s repeated insistence that the concentrate on Epstein was a Democratic “hoax,” has spurred outrage throughout the political spectrum, together with from a few of Trump’s personal supporters.
The Home Oversight Committee final week launched 1000’s of paperwork from Epstein’s property, together with emails showing to point out Epstein discussing Trump.
That is creating information. Please test again for updates.
