US President Donald Trump has urged lawmakers in his own party to vote to release files relating to the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
Trump wrote on Sunday night that Republicans in the House of Representatives should do so because we have nothing to hide.
This marks a significant shift for Trump, who had previously characterized the push for a vote on the release as a Democratic-driven distraction.
Democrats have been slowly releasing documents concerning the disgraced financier, some of which reference Trump, who has consistently denied any connection to Epstein's sex crimes.
Speculation surrounding Trump's past relationship with Epstein has intensified, especially after a recent series of emails surfaced involving Epstein and his associate Ghislaine Maxwell, who is currently imprisoned for sex trafficking.
Despite Trump's earlier dismissal of the need for document release, the landscape has shifted with numerous Republicans expressing support for legislation that would compel the U.S. government to disclose all its documents on Epstein.
Supporters of the proposed bill appear to have sufficient votes for it to pass the House this week, but its fate in the Senate remains uncertain.
Epstein, who was found dead in his prison cell in 2019, had previously been convicted in 2008 for soliciting prostitution from a minor and faced serious charges related to sex trafficking before his death.
With calls for transparency growing, a collective of Epstein survivors and Jen Giuffre’s family encourages lawmakers to consider the implications of their votes, urging them to prioritize the safety and well-being of the children.
Recent tensions have erupted following Trump's changed viewpoint, including a public dispute with Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene, a prominent Trump ally, indicating a fracture in Republican alignment amidst evolving views on the Epstein matter.
