House Republicans Fracture Over Epstein Files as Trump Reverses Course on Transparency

WASHINGTON — In a dramatic reversal that exposed deep fissures within the Republican Party, President Trump on Nov. 16 publicly endorsed the release of federal files related to the late sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein, urging House Republicans to support legislation he had previously sought to block. The move came after months of resistance from the White House and House Speaker Mike Johnson, who had employed procedural maneuvers to delay a vote on the measure.

The Epstein Files Transparency Act, a bipartisan bill sponsored by Representative Thomas Massie, Republican of Kentucky, and Representative Ro Khanna, Democrat of California, ultimately passed Congress overwhelmingly and was signed by Mr. Trump on Nov. 19. It mandated the Justice Department to publicly release nearly all unclassified records pertaining to Epstein’s investigations by Dec. 19.

The saga began earlier in the year when Mr. Trump and his administration initially downplayed demands for fuller disclosure, with the president at times dismissing the controversy as a “hoax” orchestrated by political adversaries. Attorney General Pam Bondi had indicated that certain materials, including a purported “client list,” were under review but not ready for release. This stance frustrated many in Mr. Trump’s base, who had long anticipated revelations implicating prominent Democrats and elites.

Speaker Johnson, a staunch Trump ally, mirrored this caution. For months, he resisted bringing the bill to the floor, citing concerns that it was “dangerously flawed” and could endanger victims or reveal investigative sources. In one notable tactic, Mr. Johnson delayed swearing in a newly elected Democratic representative, Adelita Grijalva of Arizona, whose vote would have provided the decisive signature on a discharge petition to force consideration of the legislation.

Behind the scenes, tensions mounted as a growing number of House Republicans signaled willingness to defect. Representatives like Marjorie Taylor Greene and Nancy Mace publicly criticized the delays, while others privately warned leadership that blocking transparency could alienate voters ahead of the 2026 midterms. Mr. Massie, a frequent Trump critic, argued that the issue symbolized the MAGA movement’s demand for accountability against untouchable elites.

The turning point arrived when Mr. Trump, facing mounting pressure from his own supporters and recognizing the inevitability of defections, posted on social media: “House Republicans should vote to release the Epstein files, because we have nothing to hide.” Within days, Mr. Johnson pivoted, announcing his support and predicting near-unanimous Republican backing.

The Justice Department’s initial releases on Dec. 19 and subsequent batches have included thousands of pages of documents, flight logs, photographs and memos. While many references to Mr. Trump appear — including subpoenas to his Mar-a-Lago resort and notes on his past flights on Epstein’s plane — officials have stressed that no evidence of wrongdoing by the president has emerged. The department has also labeled some claims as “unfounded and false.”

Critics, including Democrats and some Epstein victims’ advocates, have accused the administration of incomplete compliance, pointing to heavy redactions and the recent discovery of over a million additional documents that could delay full disclosure by weeks. Senators from both parties have called for an independent audit.

The episode has highlighted an unusual rift in Republican ranks. What began as an effort to shield the administration from scrutiny evolved into a rare instance of congressional Republicans compelling a policy shift from the White House. Mr. Johnson’s initial opposition, followed by his alignment with Mr. Trump’s reversal, underscored the speaker’s delicate balancing act: maintaining loyalty to the president while navigating demands from the party’s restless base.

Former President Barack Obama, largely silent on the matter, has not issued any recent public commentary that could be described as direct mockery. However, spokespeople for Mr. Obama have previously dismissed related Trump accusations as distractions.

As the releases continue, the political fallout persists. Pro-Trump influencers, once vocal in demanding the files, have grown conspicuously quiet amid mentions of the president. The controversy serves as a reminder of how Epstein’s shadow — and Mr. Trump’s past social ties to him — continues to complicate the administration’s narrative of unblemished governance.

In the end, the forced transparency may have cleared some air, but it has also revealed the limits of party unity when longstanding promises collide with political reality.