After spending days attacking members of his own party over an effort to force the release of files related to the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, President Donald Trump has abruptly shifted his position.
The president is now urging lawmakers to support the measure, saying the country should “move on” and that investigators “can have whatever they are legally entitled to”.
The reversal comes after Trump had previously blasted the inquiry as a distraction from his accomplishments. In a fiery post on Truth Social, he wrote: “I DON’T CARE!” - a notable pivot from his earlier attempts to stop the vote from moving forward.
Trump Targets Greene and Massie as GOP Tensions Rise
Trump’s initial opposition triggered a public feud inside the Republican Party. Over the weekend, he labeled Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene a “traitor”, according to Sky News, and Rep. Thomas Massie a “loser”, The Independent writes, after both signaled they would join Democrats in pushing for more disclosures tied to Epstein and his network of powerful associates.
Donald Trump. Credit: Samuel Corum / Getty Images.
Their support helps ensure enough votes to force the release of investigative records involving Epstein, whose past crimes and alleged connections to high-profile individuals have long fueled public scrutiny.
The move also represents a clear break between Trump and some of his staunchest conservative allies.
House Set to Vote Tuesday as Democrats Gain Momentum
House Speaker Mike Johnson initially tried to avoid bringing the measure to the floor, but with Democrats nearing the 218 votes required, he conceded that a vote would be inevitable. The House is now expected to take up the discharge petition on Tuesday.
If passed, the measure would direct the Justice Department to release the remaining documents tied to the government’s earlier investigation into Epstein. The decision follows last week’s release of thousands of emails from Epstein, which Trump and his allies dismissed as part of a “hoax”.
Credit: Patrick McMullan / Getty Images.
Senate Resistance Likely Despite Trump’s Sudden U-Turn
Even with House approval expected, the measure faces hurdles in the Senate. Wyoming Republican Sen. John Barrasso said on NBC’s Meet the Press that there would be resistance from GOP senators. It remains unclear whether Trump’s surprise change of stance will shift votes or soften opposition in the upper chamber.
Should the measure clear both chambers, the bill would then head to Trump’s desk for final approval, an outcome made more likely now that the president has publicly signaled support.