Donald Trump has urged Republicans to vote for the release of files related to Jeffrey Epstein – a reversal of his previous opposition to the move.
The president said on Truth Social that politicians from his own party should back the move.
“We have nothing to hide, and it’s time to move on from this Democrat Hoax perpetrated by Radical Left Lunatics in order to deflect from the Great Success of the Republican Party…” Mr Trump wrote.
Thousands of Epstein’s documents were released by a committee last week – and a few mentioned Mr Trump.
One email described Mr Trump as “that dog that hasn’t barked” and that “Virginia spent hours at my house with him”.
The White House said the emails were selectively leaked to “create a fake narrative to smear President Trump”.
The president has always denied any wrongdoing and said he fell out with the disgraced financier way before his crimes against underage girls came to light.
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However, pressure to release all government documents about Epstein – who killed himself in 2019 – has increased amid persistent rumours of a cover-up.
A growing number of Republican lawmakers and loyal Trump supporters also want the documents made public.
Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene, a staunch MAGA loyalist, backed the petition that proposed holding the vote and provoked a vicious backlash from the president – who labelled her a “traitor” and a “ranting lunatic”.
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The bill would force the Justice Department to release all files and communications on Epstein, as well as any information about his death in prison – another persistent topic among conspiracy theorists.
Information about victims or ongoing federal investigations would be redacted.
Read more:
What do Epstein files say about Trump, Andrew and Mandelson?
Who is MAGA ally Marjorie Taylor Greene?
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Democratic representative Ro Khanna – an original sponsor of the petition – said on Sunday he expected 40 Republicans to support the move.
However, Republican Thomas Massie told US media “100 or more” of his colleagues could vote for the bill.
The Republicans currently have 219 seats in the House of Representatives against 214 for the Democrats, suggesting it will pass. However, its fate in the Senate is unclear.
The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mike Johnson, struck a similar tone to the president as he sought to play down the vote.
He told Fox News on Sunday: “We’ll just get this done and move it on. There’s nothing to hide.”
