Epstein Files Release Effort Intensifies on Capitol Hill

Washington, D.C., September 3, 2025 - Survivors of Jeffrey Epstein’s sex-trafficking ring joined forces with bipartisan lawmakers today to demand the full release of all Epstein-related documents held by the Justice Department, escalating a confrontation with House Republican leaders and the Trump administration.

In a Capitol Hill press conference, eight survivors recounted harrowing experiences and called on Congress to bypass GOP opposition and compel disclosure via a discharge petition led by Reps. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) and Ro Khanna (D-Calif.). The petition has garnered 206 signatures-212 Democrats and four Republicans-leaving just two more GOP backers needed to force a floor vote.

Meanwhile, the House adopted a symbolic resolution expressing support for the Oversight Committee’s ongoing probe into the Epstein case, aiming to placate rank-and-file Republicans without mandating new disclosures. The nonbinding measure passed largely along party lines and carries no legal effect.

The Oversight Committee on Tuesday night publicly released 33,295 pages of redacted files, including court records, flight logs, depositions, and surveillance footage from Epstein’s Manhattan jail cell. Committee Chair James Comer insisted this action demonstrates robust congressional scrutiny, though critics note that 97 percent of the released materials were already in the public domain.

At the White House, President Donald Trump dismissed the release efforts as a “Democrat hoax” and deemed the files “irrelevant” to his administration’s agenda, despite previously signaling support for transparency. The administration and GOP leaders have warned members that voting to discharge the petition would be seen as a “hostile act” against the president.

Survivors, unbowed by political pushback, vowed to maintain pressure until all Justice Department files on Epstein and his associates-including Ghislaine Maxwell-are made available without further delay.