Republicans Challenge Trump, Advocate for Public Release of Epstein Documents

On Tuesday, the U.S. House of Representatives overwhelmingly approved a bill requiring the Justice Department to make public its files on Jeffrey Epstein’s sex trafficking probe, representing an unusual split between Republicans and former President Donald Trump. More than 100 GOP members voted against Trump’s wishes, reflecting heightened public interest in Epstein’s ties to influential individuals, including

with notable figures such as Brock Pierce and Larry Summers.

The Epstein Files Transparency Act, which Trump signed into law shortly after the House’s decision,

within 30 days, except for information withheld to protect victims or ongoing cases. Trump, who had earlier dismissed the initiative as a “hoax,” from his supporters and lawmakers like Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) and Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.), who insisted the public had a right to know. Massie anticipated “as many as 100” Republican votes, and allegiance to Trump.

This legislative move comes after emails surfaced in which Epstein referenced Trump in 2019, including a note claiming Trump “knew about the girls.” Trump has denied any misconduct, while the White House accused Democrats of selectively releasing documents to “damage” the president’s reputation. At the same time,

he held a 2015 gathering at his Manhattan residence where co-founder Brock Pierce and former Treasury Secretary Larry Summers debated the opportunities and dangers of Bitcoin.

The link to cryptocurrency, initially reported by Decrypt and Cryptopotato, demonstrates how Epstein used his connections to connect established finance with new technology. At the time, Pierce was a prominent proponent and called himself the “most active investor” in the field, while due to Bitcoin’s price volatility. The event took place after Epstein’s 2008 conviction and coincided with his Mindshift science event in the Virgin Islands, which attracted people like PayPal co-founder Peter Thiel.

These disclosures further complicate the ongoing Epstein inquiry, which has already linked Trump’s name to DOJ documents and revealed a network of political and celebrity relationships. Although Trump has not been charged with any crime,

Trump “dopey Donald” in internal emails and considered using their connection to “create a debt.”

Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.), a prominent Trump supporter, backed the transparency push, saying, “I think the American people have a right to see these files,” even as she was criticized for her confrontational approach with Trump. The vote also brought attention to Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.), whose campaign was reportedly seeking donations from Epstein in 2013,

.

Now that the DOJ is required to make its records public, it remains uncertain whether any evidence will come to light supporting Epstein’s ambiguous statements about Trump. For now, the bill’s approval highlights a changing political environment where even strong alliances can be tested by the public’s demand for openness and accountability.