Rep. Troy Nehls (R-Tex.) reversed his earlier opposition and told a New York Times reporter he will support compelling release of Jeffrey Epstein-related Justice Department files after President Trump urged Republicans to do so. Nehls had previously called the probe an 'Epstein Hoax.' His shift makes a unanimous vote in the House more likely, and Speaker Mike Johnson is expected to schedule the measure this week. Trump said he would sign and distanced himself from Epstein while criticizing Democrats.
Last GOP 'No' Reverses: Rep. Troy Nehls Will Back Releasing Epstein Files After Trump Push
Rep. Troy Nehls (R-Tex.) reversed his earlier opposition and told a New York Times reporter he will support compelling release of Jeffrey Epstein-related Justice Department files after President Trump urged Republicans to do so. Nehls had previously called the probe an 'Epstein Hoax.' His shift makes a unanimous vote in the House more likely, and Speaker Mike Johnson is expected to schedule the measure this week. Trump said he would sign and distanced himself from Epstein while criticizing Democrats.
09:03 AM, 11/18/2025Politics
Last GOP 'No' Reverses: Rep. Troy Nehls Will Back Releasing Epstein Files
Rep. Troy Nehls (R-Tex.) — who days earlier said he would oppose forcing the Trump administration to disclose Justice Department files related to Jeffrey Epstein — has reversed course and now says he will support release of the documents.
On Friday, Nehls posted on social media that 'I’ll be voting NO on the Epstein Hoax,' arguing Democrats were using the matter to distract from the administration's agenda and urging fellow Republicans not to be sidetracked. Over the weekend, however, Nehls informed New York Times reporter Annie Karni by text that he would now vote to release the files after President Donald Trump encouraged Republicans to allow disclosure.
Karni wrote that Nehls had been viewed as a potential lone Republican holdout and that his shift makes a unanimous vote to compel the Justice Department to release the files likely.
From the Oval Office: When asked whether he would sign a bill to release the files, President Trump said he wanted to distance himself from Epstein and blamed Democrats for associations with the financier. He also said he supports releasing the documents and expressed concern that the issue could deflect attention from his administration's policy record.
The comments reflect evolving Republican momentum toward disclosure. House Speaker Mike Johnson is expected to call a vote on the measure this week, raising the prospect that the House could compel the Justice Department to make the Epstein-related records public.
Context: The debate centers on whether files related to Jeffrey Epstein should be disclosed in the public interest. Lawmakers on both sides have traded accusations and political framing; the reported shift by Nehls removes an obstacle to a potentially unanimous Republican vote to force disclosure.
Reporting referenced: Annie Karni, The New York Times. Original coverage appeared on Mediaite.