Congress reconvened this week, and pressure on President Donald Trump over the Jeffrey Epstein investigation quickly returned to the spotlight. Lawmakers from both parties are now demanding greater transparency.
The break during August gave the White House a brief pause from the controversy. Now, legislators are preparing steps that could force the release of investigative files tied to the convicted financier’s crimes and death.
Republican Representative Thomas Massie said he will initiate a discharge petition in the House to compel a vote to release Epstein’s records, even without support from Speaker Mike Johnson.
The petition requires 218 signatures. Democrats are expected to back it in full, and some Republicans may join. However, whether it will pass the Senate remains uncertain under Majority Leader John Thune.
Meanwhile, victims of Epstein’s abuse are on Capitol Hill for meetings. They plan to speak directly with Johnson and lawmakers on the House oversight committee, which continues to examine how the case was handled.
Democratic Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley described the meetings as important for progress. “This is a step toward healing, accountability, and transparency survivors deserve,” she said, urging lawmakers to release the full, unredacted files.
On Wednesday, Massie and Democratic Congressman Ro Khanna will hold a press conference alongside survivors of Epstein. They argue that the American public has a right to see records that remain shielded.
Massie urged Johnson to allow a vote. “I pray he will listen to the pleas of these victims for justice and stop blocking our legislation,” the Kentucky lawmaker wrote in a statement shared online.
The president campaigned on promises to expose unanswered questions about Epstein. His supporters were angered this summer when the Justice Department officially ruled Epstein’s 2019 death as suicide.
The department also said the often-rumored “client list” does not exist. Officials declared no further details would be released, frustrating many lawmakers and fueling more calls for congressional action.
In response, the White House encouraged the Justice Department to release grand jury transcripts. Trump also sent Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche to Florida for interviews with Ghislaine Maxwell, Epstein’s longtime associate.
These sessions added little new information. At the same time, a federal judge refused to release grand jury records, delivering another setback to those seeking further public disclosures.
Democrats believe the issue may divide Trump from parts of his base, many of whom once embraced conspiracy theories he repeated during past campaigns. Trump now calls the debate a distraction.
“The whole thing is a hoax,” Trump said in August. “It is put out by the Democrats because our country has had the most successful six months in history.”
House Speaker Mike Johnson has stood by Trump, but he faces dissent from Republicans uneasy about opposing file disclosure. Some fear such a stance could alienate their constituents.
Republican leaders offered a resolution directing the House oversight committee to continue its probe. Massie dismissed the measure as cover, saying it avoids the real question of full transparency.
The committee, chaired by Republican James Comer, has issued subpoenas to past officials from both parties. Targets include Hillary Clinton and former President Bill Clinton, citing their past ties to Epstein.
The investigation is also demanding records from the Justice Department, Epstein’s estate, and the Treasury Department, including any suspicious activity reports tied to his finances and possible associates.
Comer defended the panel’s work, claiming, “The House oversight committee is reviewing the full federal investigation into Epstein and Maxwell. We are committed to providing transparency for the American people.”
Still, survivors and their advocates argue progress has been slow. They want clear answers about who helped Epstein evade accountability and how the government managed his prosecution before his death.
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As lawmakers return, the debate sets up a rare bipartisan effort with uncertain outcomes. The decision by congressional leaders may shape how much of Epstein’s case finally becomes public.
The White House wants to limit political damage. But survivors, joined by both Democrats and Republicans, continue pressing for action. With new pressure in Congress, the fight over Epstein’s files is far from over.
