House Set to Vote on Epstein Files, Republicans Split from Trump

The U.S. House of Representatives is preparing to vote this week on a bill that would require the full release of Justice Department files related to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. This vote presents a unique opportunity for a significant number of Republican lawmakers to openly diverge from Donald Trump, a rare occurrence in the current political climate. Historically, House Republicans have largely aligned with Trump’s positions, but supporting this bill could signal a public rebuke of the former president, especially since both Trump and House Speaker Mike Johnson have actively sought to prevent the vote from taking place.

Rep. Thomas Massie from Kentucky, the lead Republican co-sponsor of the bill, expressed optimism about the level of GOP support it might receive. In an interview on ABC News, he stated that he anticipates a “deluge” of support from his fellow Republicans, indicating that “100 or more” lawmakers could back the measure to release the Epstein files. Massie framed the situation as a critical choice for lawmakers: prioritizing political loyalty to Trump or meeting the transparency expectations of their constituents.

“I would remind my Republican colleagues who are deciding how to vote,” Massie said, “Donald Trump can protect you in red districts right now by giving you an endorsement. But in 2030, he’s not going to be the president, and you will have voted to protect pedophiles if you don’t vote to release these files. And the president can’t protect you then; this vote—the record of this vote—will last longer than Donald Trump’s presidency.”

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt countered this sentiment, asserting that emails related to Epstein, released by House Democrats, “prove absolutely nothing, other than the fact that President Trump did nothing wrong.” She emphasized that none of the documents previously disclosed during civil lawsuits or in the trial of Ghislaine Maxwell contained allegations against Trump.

Despite the potential passage of the bill in the House, it would still require approval in the Senate, where it may face additional challenges, including a possible veto from Trump, unless lawmakers can secure the two-thirds majority needed to override it.

The growing tension between Trump and Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia further highlights fractures within his base. Greene has begun to position herself as a staunch advocate for the “America First” ideology, suggesting that Trump has strayed from the priorities that originally resonated with voters. In recent comments, Greene criticized Trump for focusing on foreign matters rather than pressing domestic issues, such as rising living costs and health insurance premiums.

When asked whether Trump still represents the MAGA movement as he once did, Greene expressed concerns about his current alignment with the movement’s foundational goals. “What the American people voted for with MAGA was to put the American people first and stop sending foreign aid and stop being involved in foreign wars,” she noted, pointing out the need to address urgent domestic challenges.

The rift between Trump and Greene appears to have been exacerbated by her advocacy for the release of the Epstein files, indicating a potential shift in the dynamics of the Republican Party as it navigates the post-Trump landscape. As the House prepares for this pivotal vote, the implications for party unity and individual lawmakers’ political futures remain to be seen.