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The U.S. House of Representatives on Tuesday overwhelmingly voted in favor of a bill that would force the Justice Department to release all files and evidence held against disgraced financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
The vote was a surprising sign of approval for an effort that has struggled for months to overcome opposition from President Donald Trump and Republican leaders.
When a small bipartisan group of House members filed a petition in July to circumvent House Speaker Mike Johnson’s control over which bills go to the House, it seemed like a hopeless effort, especially as President Trump was urging his supporters to dismiss the issue as a “hoax.”
But efforts to block both Mr. Trump and Mr. Johnson from voting failed. Now, the president has succumbed to the growing momentum behind the bill and even said he would sign the bill if it passes the upper house of the U.S. Congress.
President Trump has strongly opposed the release of evidence against Epstein held by the Justice Department, amid suspicions that the president may be personally involved. Mr. Trump cut ties with Mr. Epstein several years ago, but said he had tried for months to overcome the freedom of information requests.
On Monday, he told reporters that Epstein has ties to more Democrats and that he didn’t want the Epstein file to “undermine the great successes of the Republican Party.”
This is a developing story. Our journalists will update you as more information becomes available.
Additional sources of information • AP
