WASHINGTON, NOV 18 (AFP/APP): US lawmakers are expected to advance a bill on Tuesday requiring the release of government records on sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, in defiance of President Donald Trump’s attempts to keep a lid on one of the country’s most notorious case files.
After weeks of resistance, behind-the-scenes pressure and frenzied lobbying against making the material public, Trump threw in the towel on Sunday as it became clear that as many as 100 Republicans in Congress were poised to defy him.
The House of Representatives looks all but certain to advance the Epstein Files Transparency Act, compelling publication of unclassified documents detailing the investigation into the disgraced financier’s operations and 2019 death in custody, ruled a suicide.
Lawmakers say the public deserves answers in a case with over 1,000 alleged victims, while pro-Trump activists insist the files will expose Democrats and other powerful figures long shielded from scrutiny.
Trump can try to block the files, but killing the bill in the Senate or vetoing it after a lopsided House vote would be awkward to defend, with the midterm elections looming and the public overwhelmingly in favor of transparency.
The saga has exposed rare fissures in support for the Republican leader, who campaigned on releasing the files but changed course after taking office, accusing Democrats of pushing a “hoax” and attacking politicians who called for their release.
Trump said on social media late Sunday that House Republicans should vote to release the files “because we have nothing to hide.”
“I’m all for it,” he told reporters in the Oval Office on Monday when asked about signing the bill into law if it passes the Senate.
His U-turn marks a rare occasion when a revolt from Trump’s allies has forced his hand.
All House Democrats and four Republicans signed a “discharge petition” — an extraordinary procedure forcing the vote — despite Republican leaders’ attempts to block it.
