Congress Passes Bill to Release Epstein Files Amid Controversy

The US Congress has approved a bill that mandates the release of files related to the controversial case of Jeffrey Epstein. This decision has significant political implications, particularly for President Donald Trump, who plans to sign the bill once it reaches his desk, according to a senior White House official.

The Epstein scandal has been a persistent issue for Trump, especially after he amplified various conspiracy theories regarding Epstein among his supporters. Many believe that his administration has concealed Epstein’s connections to influential figures, as well as details surrounding his death, which was ruled a suicide in a Manhattan jail in 2019. Epstein, a financier, was known for his associations with some of the most powerful individuals in the country.

Survivors Demand Transparency

Before the House vote, approximately two dozen survivors of Epstein’s alleged abuse gathered outside the US Capitol with lawmakers from both the Democratic and Republican parties. They urged the release of the records, holding photographs of themselves from the age at which they claimed to have encountered Epstein. Following the vote, many of the survivors expressed their emotions in the House’s public gallery, some crying and embracing one another.

Despite Trump’s shifting stance on the issue, he has expressed frustration regarding the focus on Epstein. During a visit with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Trump stated, “I have nothing to do with Jeffrey Epstein. I threw him out of my club many years ago because I thought he was a sick pervert.”

The White House reportedly did not anticipate the rapid passage of the bill through Congress, believing it would take longer in the Senate. This swift action may have contributed to a decline in Trump’s public approval ratings. A recent Reuters/Ipsos poll, concluded on March 15, 2024, found that only one in five voters approved of his handling of the Epstein matter, with just 44% of Republicans expressing satisfaction.

Political Fallout and Calls for Accountability

Trump’s past relationship with Epstein, which included socializing in the 1990s and 2000s, has become a challenging issue for him among his supporters. Jena-Lisa Jones, a survivor who claims she was abused by Epstein at age 14, publicly criticized Trump, stating, “Please stop making this political, it is not about you, President Trump. I voted for you, but your behaviour on this issue has been a national embarrassment.”

Trump has distanced himself from Epstein’s crimes, labeling the investigation as a “Democratic hoax.” Meanwhile, some Republican lawmakers have been vocal in their demand for transparency regarding Epstein’s criminal investigations. Representative Thomas Massie, who spearheaded the effort to bring the bill to a vote, accused the Justice Department of “protecting paedophiles and sex traffickers,” highlighting the urgency for accountability.

Massie articulated the stakes during his address on the House floor, stating, “How will we know if this bill has been successful? We will know when there are men, rich men, in handcuffs, being perp-walked to the jail. And until then, this is still a cover-up.”

The tension surrounding the Epstein files has also strained relationships within Trump’s Republican base. Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene, a staunch supporter, expressed anger over the Justice Department’s withholding of more details on Epstein. After Trump reportedly pressured her to retract her support for the resolution, she publicly asserted her loyalty to the survivors, stating, “A traitor is an American that serves foreign countries and themselves. A patriot is an American that serves the United States of America, and Americans like the women standing behind me.”

As the Epstein files are set to be released, the implications for Trump and the ongoing dialogue surrounding accountability and transparency in this high-profile case continue to unfold.