Washington, D.C. — Donald Trump is intensifying his efforts to persuade congressional Republicans to stall the release of Justice Department documents related to the investigation of Jeffrey Epstein. This comes as the House prepares for a key vote next week, where many Republicans may show support for transparency regarding Epstein’s activities.

The recent swearing-in of Democratic Representative Adelita Grijalva on Wednesday marked a crucial moment for the House. Her addition brought the total signatures on a discharge petition, led by Republican Thomas Massie and Democrat Ro Khanna, to 218, the number required to compel a vote on legislation that aims to release all investigative files on Epstein within 30 days.

Several Republican representatives have indicated they plan to vote in favor of this legislation, reflecting the pressure from their constituents for transparency in the Epstein matter. Notable proponents include Rep. Don Bacon of Nebraska and Rep. Rob Bresnahan of Pennsylvania, who have voiced their commitment to the cause.

In an effort to sway key lawmakers, Trump summoned Representative Lauren Boebert, one of the four Republicans supporting the petition, to a White House meeting with Attorney General Pam Bondi. Trump reportedly reached out to Boebert early Tuesday, the day before Grijalva’s swearing-in, which was pivotal for the petition’s momentum.

Representative Nancy Mace, another Republican supporting the petition, shared her concerns in a letter to Trump. As a survivor of sexual abuse, she articulated her personal connection to the matter, labeling the petition as “deeply personal” and expressing her commitment to the cause.

Democrats from the House Oversight Committee have recently uncovered and released troubling emails suggesting Trump was aware of Epstein’s misconduct, with one email indicating that Epstein claimed “of course [Trump] knew about the girls.” These revelations have sparked controversy, with Trump’s allies responding that the emails were selectively chosen to misrepresent the situation.

In defense of the former president, members of the Republican Party disclosed over 20,000 documents related to Epstein, countering claims against Trump. These documents reportedly included correspondence that indicated Epstein kept track of Trump’s travel activities long after their friendship had deteriorated.

Even if the House passes the bill, it still faces significant hurdles in the Senate, where leadership has shown little willingness to advance it. Trump has previously characterized calls for the release of Epstein-related documents as a “Democrat hoax,” adding another layer of complexity to the legislative efforts.

Earlier this year, the Justice Department stated it would not release further information on the case, despite mounting public demand for greater transparency surrounding Epstein’s actions and connections. As the situation evolves, the stakes remain high for both political parties amid calls for accountability and clarity regarding one of the most notorious cases in recent history.