The House was due to vote next week on releasing the Epstein files. It would still need to pass in the Senate and then signed by Trump.
“Speaker Mike Johnson now plans to schedule a vote on releasing the Epstein files next week, in a strategic shift spurred by the realization that it could not be stopped. The vote is expected to attract significant support from rank-and-file GOP lawmakers.”
Trump ordering a DOJ investigation provides another reason to block releasing the files because it makes it an ongoing investigation.
“But the newly announced criminal investigation could give the Justice Department a new justification to resist turning over files — or convince some lawmakers to back off. Generally, the department resists giving Congress files during an ongoing criminal investigation because any public release could jeopardize the integrity of the probe or any resulting criminal case.”
This is a reversal from July, when the DOJ claimed there wasn’t enough evidence to pursue uncharged third parties. It seems the only that changed was Trump literally asking for an investigation into Democrat-leaning targets.
“There was also no credible evidence found that Epstein blackmailed prominent individuals as part of his actions,” the memo said. “We did not uncover evidence that could predicate an investigation against uncharged third parties.”
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