US President Donald Trump has called on House Republicans to support legislation compelling the release of all files related to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
Speaking on Sunday night, Trump framed the move as a show of transparency, insisting that he and his allies have “nothing to hide.”
The president’s reversal follows a slow release of documents by House Democrats, some referencing Trump, who has consistently denied any involvement in Epstein’s criminal activities.
The proposed bill, known as the Epstein Files Transparency Act, would require the Justice Department to make all unclassified records, communications, and investigative materials public.
Several Republicans have signalled their willingness to back the measure, with co-sponsor Thomas Massie suggesting up to 100 could vote in favour.
House Speaker Mike Johnson echoed Trump’s position, dismissing the Democratic-led push as a political ploy, while emphasizing that the president is “not worried about it” and has “clean hands.”
Epstein, a financier, was found dead in 2019 while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges. Investigations into his activities generated a vast archive of documents, including witness interviews and seized materials, some of which remain unpublished. The recent release of emails between Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell, who is serving a 20-year sentence for sex trafficking, referenced Trump, but did not allege any wrongdoing by him.
Trump’s shift in stance appears influenced by ongoing Democratic disclosures, which his allies argue risk fuelling further speculation. Republican Congressman Glenn Grothman suggested that allowing the committee to systematically release files could distract from other legislative priorities, making a full disclosure simpler politically.
If passed, the bill would require Trump’s signature to take effect, potentially forcing the public release of tens of thousands of previously confidential records and reshaping the narrative around his historical ties to Epstein.
The debate underscores the continuing political sensitivity of Epstein’s case and its impact on high-profile figures across the US political spectrum.
