President Donald Trump has recently urged his fellow Republicans in Congress to support the release of documents related to the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, reversing his previous reluctance to do so. This shift highlights a significant turning point in the ongoing political discourse surrounding the Epstein case.

Trump’s statement came after House Speaker Mike Johnson conveyed his belief that a vote to release Justice Department documents concerning Epstein would help clarify any lingering allegations implicating Trump himself. On his Truth Social platform, Trump wrote, “House Republicans should vote to release the Epstein files, because we have nothing to hide.” He further asserted the need to “move on from this Democrat hoax perpetrated by Radical Left Lunatics” to deflect from what he referred to as the Republican Party’s recent successes, including a victory concerning a potential government shutdown.

While Trump and Epstein were seen together in the past, the president has asserted that their relationship soured before Epstein’s convictions. Recent emails released by a House committee suggested that Epstein believed Trump “knew about the girls,” though the context of that phrase remains unclear.

Trump has downplayed the significance of the Epstein files, labeling them part of a Democratic smear campaign. Nevertheless, he has also directed the Justice Department to investigate the ties of prominent Democrats to Epstein. Critics have accused Trump of attempting to obscure details—a point he vehemently denies—by opposing the vote, which has created divisions within his usually loyal Republican base.

Trump commented, “The House Oversight Committee can have whatever they are legally entitled to, I DON’T CARE! All I care about is that Republicans get BACK ON POINT, which is the Economy, ‘Affordability’.” His focus on government policy and economic issues comes at a crucial time as public opinion shifts around ongoing political campaigns.

On Sunday, Republican Congressman Thomas Massie questioned Trump’s motives, suggesting that the president might be making a “last-ditch effort” to prevent the public release of full Epstein files by initiating a fresh investigation. Both Massie and Democratic Congressman Ro Khanna, who are spearheading the bipartisan initiative to make all government-held files public, expressed concern about the White House’s latest actions.

During an appearance on ABC’s This Week, Massie criticized Trump for directing Attorney General Pam Bondi to investigate Democrats with connections to Epstein. Additionally, Trump swiftly withdrew his support for Georgia Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene—one of his staunchest allies—after she publicly criticized Republican handling of the Epstein files.

Khanna, an original sponsor of the initiative advocating for the files’ release, expressed confidence, stating he expects over 40 Republicans to support the measure during the upcoming vote. Currently, Republicans maintain a narrow majority in the House, holding 219 seats compared to 214 for Democrats.