Topline
The House passed legislation Tuesday that would force the Justice Department to publicly release documents related to its investigation into Jeffrey Epstein—but there are still several ways the files could be delayed or partially withheld.
Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell attend de Grisogono Sponsors The 2005 Wall Street Concert Series Benefitting Wall Street Rising, with a Performance by Rod Stewart at Cipriani Wall Street on March 15, 2005 in New York City. (Photo by Joe Schildhorn/Patrick McMullan via Getty Images)
Patrick McMullan via Getty Images
Key Facts
The House voted 427-1 to approve the legislation, with only one Republican, Rep. Clay Higgins, R-La., voting against the bill.
The vote marks a pivotal moment in the saga over the Epstein files—a major point of contention for President Donald Trump’s second administration that has caused rebellion among some of his most loyal supporters.
Trump said Monday, as it became clear the measure was likely to pass with significant Republican support, he would sign the bill into law, marking an about-face on the issue his administration has repeatedly sought to kill.
Its future in the Senate, however, remains unclear—Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., has indicated previously he doesn’t support releasing the documents, but he has not commented since Trump announced his support for the bill.
The Senate could also amend the legislation, sending it back to the House and delaying its release.
Injecting further uncertainty into the issue is the Justice Department’s newly announced probe, at Trump’s behest, into LinkedIn cofounder Reid Hoffman, former Treasury Secretary Larry Summers and former President Bill Clinton’s ties to Epstein, among others, which could give the agency leeway to withhold some of the files by claiming they pertain to an open investigation.
Crucial Quote
“If they have ongoing investigations in certain areas, those documents can’t be released. So this might be a big smokescreen, these investigations . . . as a last-ditch effort to prevent the release of the Epstein files,” Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., told ABC News. Massie was among four Republicans to sign what’s known as a discharge petition to compel a House vote on the measure.