Trump Administration Weighs Response to House Push for Epstein Files
A growing bipartisan effort in the US House of Representatives to compel the release of Justice Department files related to Jeffrey Epstein has prompted planning for a meeting among top Trump administration officials. The potential release of these documents, detailing investigations into a child sex trafficking ring, is raising concerns within the former administration and sparking renewed scrutiny of Epstein’s network of associates.
The planned meeting, according to multiple sources familiar with the discussions, was scheduled for Wednesday and included Attorney General Pam Bondi, Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche, FBI Director Kash Patel, and Republican Rep. Lauren Boebert of Colorado. Boebert has been a vocal advocate for the Justice Department to release its complete trove of Epstein-related files and has actively supported the House effort to force a vote on the matter.
As of Wednesday afternoon, CNN has not confirmed whether the meeting took place. Requests for comment from the Justice Department and the White House went unanswered, and CNN has reached out to Boebert’s office for further information.
The renewed focus on the Epstein saga comes after the House Oversight Committee released additional documents obtained from Epstein’s estate earlier Wednesday, underscoring the ongoing public interest and potential for further revelations. The Justice Department files could contain details not yet publicly available through the House’s investigations.
The controversy surrounding Epstein and his connections to powerful individuals, including Donald Trump, has created divisions within the Republican Party. Boebert is among a group of House Republicans publicly demanding greater transparency in the case. Ghislaine Maxwell, a longtime Epstein associate and convicted child sex trafficker, stated in an interview with Blanche this summer that she had observed no wrongdoing by Trump.
On Capitol Hill, Boebert, along with Reps. Marjorie Taylor Greene and Nancy Mace, have joined Reps. Thomas Massie of Kentucky and Ro Khanna of California in a push to force a vote on the release of the files. The group is poised to secure the 218th signature – a majority of the House – from Rep. Adelita Grijalva on Wednesday afternoon, triggering a floor vote.
However, the success of this effort is contingent on maintaining the current level of support. “Should anyone, like Boebert, remove their name from the petition, Massie and Khanna would no longer have the support needed to move forward,” a source indicated.
The procedural maneuver, known as a discharge petition, is rarely successful. It requires a majority of the House – 218 members out of 435 – to sign on, allowing a vote on any issue, even against the wishes of House leadership.
Adding a poignant layer to the unfolding events, at least two women identifying themselves as survivors of Epstein’s abuse are expected to attend Grijalva’s swearing-in ceremony Wednesday afternoon.
This remains a developing story and will be updated as more information becomes available.
