WASHINGTON: US lawmakers are expected to advance a bill on Tuesday requiring the release of government records related to millionaire sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, setting up a rare confrontation between Republican legislators and former President Donald Trump.
The move comes after weeks of resistance and behind-the-scenes lobbying from Trump, who had tried to block the publication of unclassified documents detailing the investigation into Epstein’s activities and his 2019 death in federal custody.
With nearly 100 Republicans prepared to break ranks, Trump backed down on Sunday, saying House Republicans should vote for transparency because “we have nothing to hide.” The House appears set to pass the Epstein Files Transparency Act, which would compel the release of thousands of pages of documents involving more than 1,000 alleged victims.
All Democrats and four Republicans have already signed a rare discharge petition, forcing the bill to the floor despite attempts by Republican leaders to stall the process.
At the time of his death, ruled a suicide, Epstein was awaiting trial on federal sex-trafficking charges involving underage girls. While Trump’s own attorney general and FBI director had earlier said there was “no basis” to revisit the case, new disclosures and political pressure have revived public interest.
Trump’s sudden reversal, including his Monday remark that he is “all for it,” is widely seen in Washington as a face-saving retreat. The dispute has also triggered unusual fractures within the Republican Party, with Trump even pulling his endorsement from ally Marjorie Taylor Greene, who accused him of fighting the release of the files “too hard.”
If the bill passes the House, Senate approval will require at least 60 votes. Even then, Trump could still veto it, a move that would be difficult to defend ahead of the midterm elections as polls show strong public support for transparency.
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