One Republican sides with Democrats to release Epstein files

By JON MICHAEL RAASCH, US POLITICAL REPORTER

Published: | Updated:

A lone Republican has risked President Donald Trump's ire after voting with Democrats in a bid to release the Jeffrey Epstein files. California Democrat Rep. Ro Khanna pushed an amendment to upcoming crypto legislation that would have forced Attorney General Pam Bondi to release all Epstein-related documents. Bondi would have to share the files on a 'publicly accessible website' within 30 days of passage.

A lone Republican has risked President Donald Trump's ire after voting with Democrats in a bid to release the Jeffrey Epstein files. California Democrat Rep. Ro Khanna pushed an amendment to upcoming crypto legislation that would have forced Attorney General Pam Bondi to release all Epstein-related documents. Bondi would have to share the files on a 'publicly accessible website' within 30 days of passage.

However, the effort was foiled, failing five to seven, during a Monday night vote by the House Rules Committee, a group of lawmakers that generally sign off on legislation before it gets a final vote on the House floor. The sensational files, which Trump promised to release while campaigning, will remain under lock and key at the Justice Department - for now. The president, if he's caught wind of the nail-bitting legislative maneuver, may be unhappy with how close this effort was to succeeding as he and his Cabinet members have worked to delegitimize calls for transparency in the high-profile case.

However, the effort was foiled, failing five to seven, during a Monday night vote by the House Rules Committee, a group of lawmakers that generally sign off on legislation before it gets a final vote on the House floor. The sensational files, which Trump promised to release while campaigning, will remain under lock and key at the Justice Department - for now. The president, if he's caught wind of the nail-bitting legislative maneuver, may be unhappy with how close this effort was to succeeding as he and his Cabinet members have worked to delegitimize calls for transparency in the high-profile case.

South Carolina Republican Ralph Norman, a conservative member of the House Freedom Caucus (HFC) and a member who, at times, ruffles GOP leadership's feathers, stunningly sided with Democrats to release the file. And another Republican decided not to vote at all, apparently wanting to avoid flak from constituents eager to see who was implicated in the deceased sexual offender's affairs. Texas Republican Chip Roy opted not to vote on the measure. Even if he had sided with his fellow HFC member Norman and Democrats the amendment still would've failed by one vote.

South Carolina Republican Ralph Norman, a conservative member of the House Freedom Caucus (HFC) and a member who, at times, ruffles GOP leadership's feathers, stunningly sided with Democrats to release the file. And another Republican decided not to vote at all, apparently wanting to avoid flak from constituents eager to see who was implicated in the deceased sexual offender's affairs. Texas Republican Chip Roy opted not to vote on the measure. Even if he had sided with his fellow HFC member Norman and Democrats the amendment still would've failed by one vote.

'Rules voted 5-7 to block the full House from voting on my amendment to have a FULL release of the Epstein file,' Khanna wrote on X following the failed vote. 'People are fed up. They are fed up. Thanks ⁦@RepRalphNorman⁩. Need to put the American people before party!' The Republicans who voted against the amendment to release the Epstein files include: Rules Chairwoman Virginia Foxx, R-N.C., Michelle Fischbach, R-M.N., Chip Roy, R-Texas, Erin Houchin, R-Ind., Nicholas A. Langworthy, R-N.Y., Austin Scott, R-Ga., H. Morgan Griffith, R-Va., Brian Jack, R-Ga.

'Rules voted 5-7 to block the full House from voting on my amendment to have a FULL release of the Epstein file,' Khanna wrote on X following the failed vote. 'People are fed up. They are fed up. Thanks ⁦@RepRalphNorman⁩. Need to put the American people before party!' The Republicans who voted against the amendment to release the Epstein files include: Rules Chairwoman Virginia Foxx, R-N.C., Michelle Fischbach, R-M.N., Chip Roy, R-Texas, Erin Houchin, R-Ind., Nicholas A. Langworthy, R-N.Y., Austin Scott, R-Ga., H. Morgan Griffith, R-Va., Brian Jack, R-Ga.

Some MAGA devotees feel betrayed by Republican's sudden and puzzling reversal on the release of the deceased banker and his 'client list.' Attorney General Pam Bondi said earlier this year that the 'client list' was on her desk, but last week the DOJ and FBI said there is no list at all - an admission clearly at odds with the Cabinet member's past comments. 'America deserves the truth about Jeffrey Epstein and the rich powerful elites in his circle,' firebrand Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., posted on X after the vote.

Some MAGA devotees feel betrayed by Republican's sudden and puzzling reversal on the release of the deceased banker and his 'client list.' Attorney General Pam Bondi said earlier this year that the 'client list' was on her desk, but last week the DOJ and FBI said there is no list at all - an admission clearly at odds with the Cabinet member's past comments. 'America deserves the truth about Jeffrey Epstein and the rich powerful elites in his circle,' firebrand Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., posted on X after the vote.

'The line is drawn with anyone who abuses children and vulnerable innocent people.' 'When George Santos is going to prison for 7 years but Epstein only served 13 months, our justice system is CORRUPT!!!' Greene said, noting how a the former Republican congressman will soon go to jail for fraud and identity theft.

'The line is drawn with anyone who abuses children and vulnerable innocent people.' 'When George Santos is going to prison for 7 years but Epstein only served 13 months, our justice system is CORRUPT!!!' Greene said, noting how a the former Republican congressman will soon go to jail for fraud and identity theft.

Trump during his campaign he would release additional files on the disgraced financier if he was elected. But last week he appeared to downplay the importance of the scintillating Epstein saga. 'Are people still talking about this creep? That is unbelievable! I can't believe you're asking a question on Epstein,' the 79-year-old president responded to a reporter inquiring about the case last week.

Trump during his campaign he would release additional files on the disgraced financier if he was elected. But last week he appeared to downplay the importance of the scintillating Epstein saga. 'Are people still talking about this creep? That is unbelievable! I can't believe you're asking a question on Epstein,' the 79-year-old president responded to a reporter inquiring about the case last week.

Trump also ridiculed Epstein in a post on his Truth Social app over the weekend. 'We’re on one Team, MAGA, and I don’t like what’s happening. We have a PERFECT Administration, THE TALK OF THE WORLD, and “selfish people” are trying to hurt it, all over a guy who never dies, Jeffrey Epstein,' he posted. Earlier this year, the White House hosted influencers over to review files on Epstein, but the documents they triumphantly paraded out with were later found to be previously released files - they were duped.

Trump also ridiculed Epstein in a post on his Truth Social app over the weekend. 'We’re on one Team, MAGA, and I don’t like what’s happening. We have a PERFECT Administration, THE TALK OF THE WORLD, and “selfish people” are trying to hurt it, all over a guy who never dies, Jeffrey Epstein,' he posted. Earlier this year, the White House hosted influencers over to review files on Epstein, but the documents they triumphantly paraded out with were later found to be previously released files - they were duped.

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