US President, who is under great pressure Donald Trump recommends that Republicans vote in the House of Representatives to make public the investigation files into the case of sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. It’s time to release the files “because we have nothing to hide,” the Republican wrote on his Truth Social platform.
Until now, Trump has vehemently opposed disclosing the case files. The opposition Democratic Party, but also some Republicans who support Trump, have been pushing for this for months. Pressure on the US President increased over the weekend. A vote in the US Congress is scheduled for this week, but the exact date has not been announced.
What is the Epstein case about?
Influential American multimillionaire Epstein has run an abuse network for years, resulting in dozens of young women and minors becoming victims. He also committed suicide against his victims. After he was convicted as a felon, the case was reopened years later and Epstein was arrested again – the New York financier died in his prison cell in 2019 at the age of 66. The autopsy report listed suicide as the cause of death.
Epstein’s death and his extensive contacts with American high society sparked speculation about the possible involvement of influential circles. Before his arrest, celebrities and billionaires were in and out of his home – Trump also spent time with Epstein, as several party videos show.
Why has Trump changed his mind now?
At the weekend, according to US media, there were indications that support in the DPR for opening the file was increasing. Actually they have republic majority in the assembly. However, there are some members of Trump’s party who are clearly opposing the US President’s wishes and are pushing the project forward together with the Democratic Party. According to US media, there were failed attempts by the government to change the minds of Republican lawmakers. Trump threatens to embarrass the DPR.
Will the files become public?
That’s not clear. If the House of Representatives in the US Congress votes in favor, two further steps are required: The Senate – the other chamber of the US Congress – must also approve it. Republicans also have a majority there and, according to US media, the plan may face resistance there. In addition, the US President must give his final signature so that the Department of Justice can be ordered to open the investigative files.
Why didn’t Trump release the files?
This is a question that has occupied the media and political industry in the US for months. During the election campaign, Trump promised to fully disclose the Epstein file. However, as these promises have not been kept since he took office in January, pressure on the president has increased. Recently, Democrats published excerpts of emails from Epstein’s estate that included Trump’s name — again raising questions about how much Trump might have known about Epstein’s crimes.
Instead, the US President accused the Democratic Party of deliberate fraud. From his perspective, they exploited Epstein’s problems to harm him and distract from his success. In return, the US President appointed the Democratic Party in the Epstein case. A few days ago, he even asked the justice minister to initiate an investigation into former US Democratic Party President Bill Clinton and other people and companies about possible ties and ties with Epstein.
The Washington Post reported concerns from legal experts that this may be an attempt by Trump to use such an investigation to give the Justice Department an excuse not to release all of Epstein’s documents.
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