TELL THE U.S. HOUSE: Trump and Speaker Johnson have done everything they can to block the release of the Epstein Files, including Johnson abruptly ending the last House session. Now, Trump's DOJ is responding to subpoenas with files that were already public. What is Trump hiding? Sign the petition: Flood U.S. House offices to demand lawmakers force a vote on releasing the Epstein Files!

Congress will return to Capitol Hill on Tuesday — the first time in weeks that lawmakers can reignite the bipartisan push to force a vote on releasing the Epstein Files.

Days ago, Trump made another attempt to halt the full release of information on Jeffrey Epstein’s crimes. His Department of Justice responded to a Congressional subpoena for all of the information the government has on Epstein with a release of files that were already public.1

Several victims of Epstein and accomplice Ghislaine Maxwell said through their lawyers that they believe the DOJ’s handling of sensitive information on Epstein and Maxwell’s crimes “smacks of a cover up.”2 They added that they think the Trump administration considers victims “at best, an afterthought.”3

So, what is Trump hiding? We already know the Trump admin directed FBI officials to redact his name from the Epstein Files.4 We need to know much more. Our representatives in Congress must take a stand for transparency and accountability NOW.

Sign the petition: Sign the discharge petition to force a vote on releasing the Epstein files!

Trump’s phony DOJ documents release is just the latest in a long list of efforts to distract and withhold information relating to Epstein’s crimes. Speaker Johnson abruptly ended the last House session5 to prevent a vote happening on releasing Epstein files, and pushed a sham, toothless resolution in hopes of replacing the real attempts at accountability.6 Speculation is also building that Trump is considering a full pardon for Ghislaine Maxwell, who was convicted of sex trafficking.7

MAGA Republicans are scrambling to hide the truth. Reps. Ro Khanna and Thomas Massie are leading an effort to force Congress to vote on fully releasing the Epstein Files. If enough lawmakers sign on to the Khanna-Massie discharge petition, the measure must be brought to a full floor vote.

Rep. Massie said that right before shutting down the House a few weeks ago, Johnson told Republicans to essentially “stick their heads in the sand about this Epstein thing.”8

Next week, the House returns from recess. This is a critical moment and we must flood lawmaker offices urging them to take their heads out of the sand and fight for transparency.

Sign the petition: Force a vote on releasing the Epstein Files!

Thanks for taking action,

Joey and the Demand Progress team

Sources:

  1. The New York Times, “Justice Dept. Sent Congress Epstein Files That Were Already Public, Democrats Say,” August 23, 2025.
  2. Politico, “Epstein victims speak out: This ‘smacks of a cover up’,” August 7, 2025.
  3. Ibid.
  4. Bloomberg, "FBI Redacted Trump’s Name in Epstein Files for Privacy Reasons,” August 1, 2025.
  5. The New York Times, “Johnson Cuts Short House Business to Avoid Vote on Releasing Epstein Files,” July 22, 2025.
  6. Demand Progress, "House Speaker Mike Johnson Joins Epstein Coverup,” July 18, 2025.
  7. The New York Times, “After Ghislaine Maxwell Interview, Concerns Mount Over Possibility of Pardon,” July 25, 2025.
  8. The New York Times, “Johnson Cuts Short House Business to Avoid Vote on Releasing Epstein Files,” July 22, 2025.

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