House Votes to Release Epstein Files Amid Partisan Tensions as Speaker Johnson Accuses Democrats of Targeting Trump

The U.S. House of Representatives voted Tuesday to advance the release of long-awaited files connected to the Jeffrey Epstein case, marking a rare moment of bipartisan cooperation but also intensifying partisan accusations over the timing and political motivations behind the move. The bipartisan push—led by Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., and Rep. Ro Khanna, D-Calif.—garnered widespread support across the chamber, with President Donald Trump unexpectedly backing the effort.

Despite the broad support for transparency, the vote quickly became a flashpoint for political tensions. House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., sharply criticized Democratic leaders, calling the timing of the vote a “political showboat” designed to undermine former President Trump. “They’re trying to attack President Trump,” Johnson said Tuesday, arguing that Democrats were framing the disclosure effort as a way to implicate political opponents rather than simply pursuing public transparency.

The momentum for releasing the Epstein files accelerated last week when a majority of House members signed a discharge petition—a procedural move that forces a vote on legislation even without committee or leadership approval. The petition, which requires 218 signatures, crossed that threshold when Rep. Adelita Grijalva, D-Ariz., became the final required signatory.

Grijalva, the newest member of the House, had faced delays in being sworn in due to the ongoing government shutdown. However, she had publicly pledged to sign the petition once seated. Her signature pushed the issue onto the House floor, triggering frustration from some Republicans who believed Democratic leadership was coordinating the timing to maximize political impact. Democrats, in turn, accused Speaker Johnson of deliberately delaying Grijalva’s swearing-in—and by extension, the vote itself.

Releasing the Epstein files has long been a sensitive and politically charged issue. Epstein, a financier with extensive social and political connections, died in federal custody in 2019 while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges. For years, lawmakers from both parties have urged greater transparency surrounding his associates, alleged accomplices, and the network of individuals who may have been involved in or aware of his criminal activities.

Supporters of Tuesday’s vote argue that releasing the documents will help the public fully understand the scope of Epstein’s crimes and any institutional failures that allowed him to operate for so long. Massie and Khanna, the bipartisan sponsors, framed the move as a necessary step toward accountability that transcends party lines. “This is about the truth,” Khanna said earlier this week. “The American people deserve to see these files.”

Still, Johnson’s comments underscored how deeply intertwined the matter has become with broader political conflicts. Trump’s surprising endorsement of the release added yet another layer, especially as some Democrats have suggested the files could contain information relevant to figures across the political spectrum, including powerful Republicans.

While the House vote represents a significant step toward transparency, the timeline and process for releasing the documents remain uncertain. Agencies involved in handling sensitive or classified material may still request redactions or further review. Yet the decisive vote signals broad congressional appetite for disclosure—setting the stage for what could become one of Washington’s most closely watched document releases in years.