All of Michigan’s US House members vote to release Epstein files

All 13 members of the US Home of Representatives in Michigan voted on Tuesday, November 18, in favor of a decision directing the Trump administration to launch all paperwork and different supplies associated to the investigation into Jeffrey Epstein, a rich baby molester and well-connected financier who dedicated suicide in jail in 2019.

The decision handed overwhelmingly, 427 to 1, with U.S. Rep. Clay Higgins, R-Louisiana, voting towards it. The measure was rapidly handed by the Senate with no formal vote, with Democratic chief Chuck Schumer of New York going through no opposition to a unanimous request for its approval earlier than it was even acquired by the Home of Representatives.

It now goes to President Donald Trump for his signature.

Trump, who was a pal of Epstein for a few years before the two got into an argument many years earlier than his loss of life denounced the move to force the Justice Department to launch the data as a Democratic-led hoax. However because it grew to become extra doubtless it will cross, he stated removed his objections to its passage and said he would likely sign it.

Trump has insisted he knew nothing in regards to the intercourse trafficking prices for which Epstein was convicted. Newly launched emails from Democrats on the Home Oversight Committee from Epstein’s investigation said Trump “knew about the girls.” The White Home has known as it a “smear” of Democrats told the Justice Department to look into Democrats who may have been involved; U.S. Lawyer Common Pam Bondi referred that request to the U.S. Lawyer’s Workplace in Manhattan.

Though Trump in the course of the 2024 campaign he would “declassify” After the Epstein recordsdata, he later backed away from that place and left it to Bondi, regardless that there was rising curiosity in its launch amongst lots of his staunchest supporters. A handful of Republicans signed a discharge petition led by U.S. Representatives Ro Khanna, a Democrat from California, and Thomas Massie, a Republican from Kentucky, to drive a vote on the decision when Republican leaders within the Home of Representatives refused to advance it.

In July 2025, the Justice Division stated no proof had been discovered exhibiting {that a} so-called “consumer listing” of Epstein existed, regardless that Bondi was seemed to suggest in an earlier interview there was such a listing.

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Extra: Will the Epstein Files Be Released?

Republicans argued that Democrats politicized the investigation and that the fabric might have been launched throughout former President Joe Biden’s time period in workplace.

“Republicans have offered unprecedented transparency, whereas Democrats have merely performed political video games with the victims to delay the agenda of the American folks,” stated U.S. Rep. Lisa McClain, R-Bruce Township. “With this vote, we’re placing an finish to obstructionism and clearing the ground to as soon as once more advance Republicans’ affordability agenda.”

Democrats, in the meantime, countered that Trump, as present president, might order their launch with out passing the decision, and that Republican leaders had made efforts to cross it on Trump’s orders.

“Republicans should resolve whether or not to guard pedophiles or search justice for survivors of intercourse trafficking and abuse,” stated U.S. Rep. Rashida Tlaib, D-Detroit.

The decision permits the Justice Division to withhold “personally identifiable data” about Epstein’s victims, in addition to any materials that “depicts or incorporates baby sexual abuse.” Any materials whose launch would “jeopardize an energetic federal investigation or pending prosecution” is also withheld, “offered that such withholding is barely acceptable and momentary.”

Contact Todd Spangler: tspangler@freepress.com. Comply with him on Twitter@tsspangler.

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