By Ashlee Banks
Special to the AFRO
Democrats in the U.S. House of Representatives are ramping up pressure on the Trump administration to release files related to Jeffrey Epstein, even as President Donald Trump has conjured distractions and lashes out at supporters in his own base for demanding the same.
Trump took to Truth Social back in July to scold those calling for more transparency, calling them “weaklings” who have “bought into this bulls—.”
“My past supporters have bought into this ‘bulls—’ hook, line, and sinker,” the president wrote.
“Let these weaklings continue forward and do the Democrats’ work, don’t even think about talking of our incredible and unprecedented success, because I don’t want their support anymore!”
The post came after renewed attention on Epstein’s case, following a Justice Department memo stating there was no evidence of an incriminating “client list.” That determination only intensified calls from both sides of the aisle for more disclosure, particularly among Democrats.
House Democrats, including Rep. Glenn Ivey (D-Md.-4) say the public deserves answers and are demanding the Trump administration follow through on its promise.
“The Trump administration promised to release the Epstein files. In fact, Attorney General Bondi said she had the list on her desk just a few months ago,” said Ivey. “Now all of a sudden, they’re in this full stonewall mode. I don’t really understand what’s going on, but I think the bottom line is the public has a right to know. Turn over the files, so we can put all the questions and conspiracy theories to rest, one way or another.”
Rep. Hank Johnson (D-Ga.-4) echoed that call.
“Sexual predator President Trump promised that he would release the Epstein files. It’s time he lived up to at least one of his campaign promises,” he told the AFRO.
U.S. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, (R-Ga.-14), a staunch Trumper, also chimed in last week in an all-caps post on X: “RELEASE THE EPSTEIN CLIENT LIST.”
U.S. Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.-17) led a failed effort in July to force the release of the documents. He proposed an amendment to the GENIUS Act that would have required Attorney General Pam Bondi to publish the Epstein materials on a public website. But, the measure was voted down 5 to 7 in the House Rules Committee, with all but one Republican voting against it.
Since then, Khanna and co-sponsor Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., said they are planning to file a discharge petition, which would allow them to circumvent House leadership and force a vote on the matter of compelling the release of the controversial files. They have also announced plans to hold a press conference with some Epstein survivors on Sept. 3, the day that the House returns from August recess.
Meanwhile, Rep. Ivey told the AFRO that alternative options remain on the table.
“Jim Jordan and the House Judiciary Committee could issue a subpoena if necessary to get the files,” he said. Attorney General Bondi has faced criticism for her vague public statements about the case. In February, she told Fox News the alleged client list was “sitting on my desk right now to review.”
She later walked that back, saying during a cabinet meeting that she was referring to a different Epstein file.
Trump defended her staunchly on Truth Social.
“What’s going on with my ‘boys’ and, in some cases, ‘gals?’ They’re all going after Attorney General Pam Bondi, who is doing a FANTASTIC JOB,” he wrote.
Trump’s dismissiveness has also stirred controversy given his long-known ties to Epstein.
“I’ve known Jeff for fifteen years. Terrific guy,” Trump told New York Magazine in 2002. “He’s a lot of fun to be with. It is even said that he likes beautiful women as much as I do, and many of them are on the younger side. No doubt about it — Jeffrey enjoys his social life.”
After Epstein’s 2019 death in jail, officially ruled a suicide, conspiracy theories erupted about possible efforts to protect high-profile figures in his network.
At this time, Democrats and a growing number of Republicans say they are not letting the issue go.
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