President Trump calls on House Republicans to release Epstein files
WASHINGTON (NBC, KYMA) - In a major reversal overnight, President Donald Trump is now calling on House Republicans to vote to release the files on notorious sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
In a post to social media, President Trump wrote in part, "We have nothing to hide," after previously dismissing the push as a hoax by Democrats and slamming Republicans who support it.
The House is set to vote this week on a petition to compel the Justice Department to release any documents it has in the case.
The president has long opposed the push that he's called a hoax by Democrats.
"They're using Jeffrey Epstein as a deflection from the tremendous success that we're having as a party," Trump remarked.
Trump also condemned Republicans who back the bill, including Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA), a longtime ally, and she says she's faced threats after his recent criticism.
"Marjorie Traitor Greene. I don't think her life is in danger. I don't think, frankly, I don't think anybody cares about her," Trump spoke.
The president, who was once friends with Epstein, denies any wrongdoing and has never been charged in connection with Epstein's sex trafficking crimes.
Trump now he says he does not care about the files' release and wants Republicans to get back on point as the Republican and Democrat leading the charge in the House reject claims of partisanship and predict the vote will pass in a landslide.
"I think we could have a deluge of Republicans," said Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY).
"What we're asking for is justice for those survivors. So, it's not about Donald Trump," said Rep. Ro Khanna (D-CA).
Survivors of Epstein's abuse are preparing to rally at the Capitol this week, urging lawmakers to remember their stories and push to move past politics to accountability.
"I would say, please remember that these are crimes that were committed against real humans," said Annie Farmer, an Epstein survivor.
Trump has now directed the Justice Department to investigate Epstein's relationship with several prominent Democrats mentioned in a trove of emails a House committee released last week that also reference the president, including one from Epstein saying that he "knew about the girls."
The White House denies it, stressing the convicted sex offender was a known liar.
