In Reversal, Trump Says House Republicans Should Vote To Release Epstein Files

[LetMyPeopleVote]

33. MaddowBlog-Facing defeat, Trump completes dramatic U-turn on Epstein Files Transparency Act

The president has flip-flopped before, but his reversal on a resolution to force disclosure of the Epstein files was dramatic — and born of weakness.

Facing defeat, Trump completes dramatic U-turn on Epstein Files Transparency Act

The president has flip-flopped before, but his reversal on a resolution to force disclosure of the Epstein files was dramatic — and born of weakness. www.ms.now/rachel-maddo...

— News Wire - World 🌎 Independent News Network Pro-Democracy (@democracyblue.bsky.social) 2025-11-17T15:08:05.429Z

https://www.ms.now/rachel-maddow-show/maddowblog/facing-defeat-trump-completes-dramatic-u-turn-epstein-files-transparen-rcna244338

On Sunday morning, Republican Rep. Thomas Massie of Kentucky, one of the lead sponsors of the resolution, appeared on ABC News’ “This Week” and predicted “a deluge” of GOP support for the bill. “There could be 100 or more,” the GOP congressman added.

Roughly 12 hours later, the president threw in the towel. In a rant published to his social media platform on Sunday night, Trump issued a statement that began:

… House Republicans should vote to release the Epstein files, because we have nothing to hide, and it’s time to move on from this Democrat Hoax perpetrated by Radical Left Lunatics in order to deflect from the Great Success of the Republican Party, including our recent Victory on the Democrat ‘Shutdown.’

....So what happens now? While the legislative process surrounding discharge petitions is complex and burdensome, House Speaker Mike Johnson, who largely controls developments on the floor, agreed last week to get this over with, scheduling a vote for Tuesday, Nov. 18. (The Louisiana Republican had the option of waiting for the discharge petition to fully ripen and punt the vote until after Thanksgiving. By all accounts, Johnson decided instead to rip off the bandage.)

If all goes according to plan, after the House vote on the resolution, the measure would head to the Senate, where its future is uncertain: It would need 60 votes to advance in a chamber where the Senate Democratic conference has 47 members.

If 13 or more Senate Republicans support the bill, it would eventually need the president’s signature. Watch this space.