US President Donald Trump has issued a surprise call to action to his own party in the House of Representatives, urging them to vote in favor of releasing files related to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
In a reversal of his previous stance, Trump on Sunday urged Republicans to support the release of all documents and communications relating to Epstein, saying "we have nothing to hide". This is a stark contrast to his earlier claims that the clamor for release was being driven by Democrats as a "hoax" to distract from other issues.
The files in question relate to Epstein's sex abuse and trafficking cases, and include transcripts of interviews with victims and witnesses, as well as items confiscated during raids on his properties. Despite Trump's assurances that he has nothing to hide, the decision to release these documents is seen as a major shift for the president who previously dismissed concerns about Epstein's activities.
The move has sparked a public feud between Trump and some of his own party members, including Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene, who Trump attacked on Friday, calling her "wacky" and a "traitor". Greene had been one of the president's most vocal supporters in pushing for the release of Epstein files.
The White House has confirmed that the US Department of Justice will investigate Epstein's alleged links to major banks and several prominent Democrats, including former President Clinton. However, Clinton has strongly denied having any knowledge of Epstein's crimes.
It remains to be seen whether Trump's request for Republicans to support the release of the files will succeed, but it marks a significant shift in his stance on the issue and highlights the ongoing controversy surrounding Epstein's activities and potential connections to those in power.
In a reversal of his previous stance, Trump on Sunday urged Republicans to support the release of all documents and communications relating to Epstein, saying "we have nothing to hide". This is a stark contrast to his earlier claims that the clamor for release was being driven by Democrats as a "hoax" to distract from other issues.
The files in question relate to Epstein's sex abuse and trafficking cases, and include transcripts of interviews with victims and witnesses, as well as items confiscated during raids on his properties. Despite Trump's assurances that he has nothing to hide, the decision to release these documents is seen as a major shift for the president who previously dismissed concerns about Epstein's activities.
The move has sparked a public feud between Trump and some of his own party members, including Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene, who Trump attacked on Friday, calling her "wacky" and a "traitor". Greene had been one of the president's most vocal supporters in pushing for the release of Epstein files.
The White House has confirmed that the US Department of Justice will investigate Epstein's alleged links to major banks and several prominent Democrats, including former President Clinton. However, Clinton has strongly denied having any knowledge of Epstein's crimes.
It remains to be seen whether Trump's request for Republicans to support the release of the files will succeed, but it marks a significant shift in his stance on the issue and highlights the ongoing controversy surrounding Epstein's activities and potential connections to those in power.