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A Democratic-led push to force the release of all Jeffrey Epstein-related documents was narrowly blocked by House Republicans on Monday, as the House Rules Committee voted 6–5 to prevent the proposal from reaching the House floor — exposing growing fissures inside MAGA-aligned GOP ranks.
The amendment, introduced by Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.), would have required Attorney General Pam Bondi to post all Justice Department files connected to Epstein on a publicly accessible website within 30 days. All Republican members of the panel opposed the amendment except Rep. Ralph Norman (R-S.C.), whose defection underscored increasing conservative frustration over the Trump administration’s reversal on releasing the files.
“Are you on the side of the rich and powerful, or are you on the side of the people?” Khanna said ahead of the vote. “We need to end the secrecy and restore trust.”
The amendment was attached to a separate bill regulating cryptocurrency — a move Republicans criticized as “off-topic.” Still, Democrats made clear the goal was political: to put Republicans on the record over the Epstein controversy, particularly after former President Donald Trump reversed course on his prior calls for transparency and instead urged Republicans to “move on” from the Epstein saga.
Trump, Bondi Shift on Epstein Transparency
Trump, once a vocal proponent of releasing Epstein’s “client list,” wrote on Truth Social over the weekend that Epstein-related documents were a “distraction” and falsely claimed they were created by political adversaries like Barack Obama and Joe Biden. His post angered supporters who for years expected the Trump administration to expose high-profile individuals connected to the disgraced financier.
“I think we all want to know why Trump is suddenly changing his tune and is so desperate to sweep this under the rug,” said Rep. Jim McGovern (D-Mass.), the ranking member on the Rules Committee.
Trump’s Attorney General Pam Bondi has also walked back earlier claims that she possessed a definitive client list, contributing to speculation and frustration. The Department of Justice recently released a memo stating there is no evidence Epstein was murdered or kept a client list — a conclusion that drew intense backlash from prominent conservatives, including Steve Bannon, Laura Loomer, and Tucker Carlson.
Norman Breaks Ranks: “A Little Strange”
Rep. Ralph Norman’s vote in favor of the amendment broke GOP unity on the issue.
“The public’s been asking for it,” Norman told Axios after the vote. “I think there are files. All of a sudden not to have files is a little strange.”
Democrats, seizing on that division, vowed to keep pressing the issue.
“This was a first step,” said Khanna. “We’ll reintroduce it again and again — the American people want the truth.”
Broader Fallout in MAGA World
The vote adds to internal pressure on the Trump administration as MAGA supporters express skepticism over how Epstein’s case is being handled.
Trump loyalists including Charlie Kirk, Tom Fitton, and Dan Bongino have all publicly expressed concern or distanced themselves from the administration’s evolving position. Trump reportedly called Kirk over the weekend to urge support for Bondi, a move insiders described as a damage-control effort amid a growing outcry from his base.
The Rules Committee chair, Rep. Virginia Foxx (R-N.C.), defended the party-line vote and emphasized a more measured timeline:
“Most of us believe what’s appropriate will be released when it is time,” Foxx said.
But Rep. McGovern countered: “They promised transparency — and now they’re trying to bury the truth. This is exactly the kind of Washington double-talk people are sick of.”
What Comes Next?
While Monday’s vote blocked immediate action, Khanna’s amendment — and the broader push for Epstein-related transparency — appears far from over. Multiple House Democrats said they would pursue standalone legislation or attach similar language to future appropriations bills.
As internal Republican divisions continue to bubble, the pressure for answers surrounding Epstein’s alleged network, the memo’s findings, and Bondi’s credibility may only intensify ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.
