‘Release the Records’: Epstein Survivors Press Congress to Free DOJ Files Ahead of House Vote

‘Release the Records’: Epstein survivors press Congress to free Justice Department files

A group of survivors of Jeffrey Epstein gathered outside the U.S. Capitol on Tuesday morning to demand accountability, justice and the public release of Justice Department records connected to the late convicted sex offender.

“It’s time that we put the political agendas and party affiliations to the side. This is a human issue, this is about children,” said Haley Robson, one of the survivors. “There is no place in society for sexual exploitation or the exploitation of women.”

The news conference came hours before the House of Representatives was scheduled to vote on legislation intended to compel the Justice Department to disclose its cache of records related to Epstein, who died in custody in 2019 while awaiting federal sex‑trafficking charges involving minors.

“We are exhausted from surviving the trauma and then surviving the politics that swirl around it,” said Wendy Avis, who said she first met Epstein at 14. “I am asking Congress, please pass the bill, please release the records, stop making survivors fight alone for the truth.”

The measure secured bipartisan backing and was widely expected to pass the House. After months of resisting the release and urging Republicans to block the effort, former President Donald Trump surprised observers by reversing his position on Sunday and encouraging Republican lawmakers to support the bill.

Representative Ro Khanna (D), who helped lead the bipartisan push, told CBS he was "very surprised" by Mr. Trump’s reversal. Khanna and Representative Thomas Massie (R), who co‑led the effort, stood with survivors at the news conference.

“This is one of the most horrific and disgusting corruption scandals in our country’s history,” Khanna said. “Because survivors spoke up, because of their courage, the truth is finally going to come out.”

Massie appealed to the Senate — which would consider the bill if the House approves it — to allow full disclosure. “If you do anything that prevents any disclosure, you are not for the people and you are not part of this effort,” he warned.

Republican Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene, a longtime Trump ally who has also pressed for release of the records, joined Khanna and Massie and praised the survivors for their persistence. Greene noted recent tensions with Mr. Trump after he temporarily withdrew support for her over other disagreements.

Survivors expressed skepticism about political motives even as they welcomed the prospect of disclosure. Robson addressed Mr. Trump directly: “While I do understand that your position has changed on the Epstein files, and I’m grateful that you have pledged to sign this bill, I can’t help but be skeptical of what the agenda is. I am traumatized. I am not stupid.” Jena‑Lisa Jones similarly urged the former president to “stop making this political” and to back full transparency.

The push to release records followed publication by the House Oversight Committee of more than 20,000 documents it said it obtained from Epstein’s estate, including an email in which Epstein allegedly wrote that Mr. Trump “knew about the girls.” Those disclosures intensified scrutiny of Epstein’s connections to prominent figures and amplified calls for Justice Department and FBI records to be made public.

The White House has denied wrongdoing. Mr. Trump has consistently denied any knowledge of or involvement in Epstein’s crimes. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt condemned the selective release of documents and accused Democrats of leaking material “to create a fake narrative to smear President Trump.”

If the House approves the bill, it would move to the Senate for consideration; supporters urged lawmakers in both chambers to permit full disclosure so survivors and the public can review the records and the facts they contain.