A MARTÍNEZ, HOST:
Both chambers of Congress have now moved to force the Justice Department to release its files on convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. We'll hear from one of the senators who voted for the bill, Democrat Maggie Hassan, right after we get up to date on the facts.
LEILA FADEL, HOST:
President Trump has promised to sign the measure but told reporters that the intense focus on the files is a Democratic hoax.
(SOUNDBITE OF ARCHIVED RECORDING)
PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP: I have nothing to do with Jeffrey Epstein. I threw him out of my club many years ago 'cause I thought he was a sick pervert. But - and I guess I turned out to be right.
MARTÍNEZ: NPR congressional reporter Sam Gringlas is following this story from Capitol Hill. So when we talk about releasing the Epstein files, Sam, I mean, which ones are we talking about?
SAM GRINGLAS, BYLINE: So this legislation applies to unclassified documents, communications or investigation materials held by the Justice Department, the FBI and U.S. attorneys' offices related to federal investigations into Epstein in New York and Florida. Now, it's worth noting that the House Oversight Committee has already released other Epstein files, including thousands of pages of emails obtained from the Epstein estate. That batch of documents included Epstein telling a journalist that Trump, quote, "knew about the girls," seemingly referring to people Epstein was trafficking. As we just heard, the president has said he broke ties with Epstein years ago and has denied any wrongdoing.
MARTÍNEZ: Now, releasing the files has been a very divisive thing within the Republican Party. But, yeah, yesterday, legislation sailed through both chambers. So take us through what changed.
GRINGLAS: For months, President Trump and Republican leaders in Congress tried to thwart a vote on these files. But Democrats and some Republicans, like Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia, pressed ahead. Greene said Trump's refusal to release the files was a betrayal of his most ardent supporters.
(SOUNDBITE OF ARCHIVED RECORDING)
MARJORIE TAYLOR GREENE: For people that slept in their cars to go to rallies, have fought for truth and transparency, watching this actually turn into a fight has ripped MAGA apart.
GRINGLAS: But once a bipartisan petition to force the issue got enough signatures, Trump reversed course. And that paved the way for Tuesday's vote in the House, which several survivors of Epstein's abuse actually watched from the gallery. Here's one of them, Jena-Lisa Jones, who spoke outside the Capitol before the votes.
(SOUNDBITE OF ARCHIVED RECORDING)
JENA-LISA JONES: It is not about you, President Trump. I voted for you, but your behavior on this issue has been a national embarrassment.
GRINGLAS: The House passed the legislation 427 to 1. And within a few hours, the Senate agreed to automatically advance the measure without a vote as soon as it arrives from the House, and that is expected sometime today.
MARTÍNEZ: Four hundred twenty-seven to 1 sounds like unity, right?
GRINGLAS: I mean, on paper, sure, but it's clear that many Democrats and Republicans are looking at this fight through different lenses. Just listen to House Oversight Committee Chair James Comer of Kentucky.
(SOUNDBITE OF ARCHIVED RECORDING)
JAMES COMER: Democrats have chosen to manufacture yet another anti-Trump hoax instead of pursuing justice.
GRINGLAS: And compare that to his Democratic counterpart on that committee, Robert Garcia of California.
(SOUNDBITE OF ARCHIVED RECORDING)
ROBERT GARCIA: Trump has the power to release the files today. He does not even need a vote. What is Donald Trump hiding?
MARTÍNEZ: So, Sam, the debate over the files - I think it's still a couple of steps to go before we get any resolution.
GRINGLAS: The materials have to be made public within 30 days of Trump signing the bill. Depending on what comes out, that could fuel new conflicts. Trump, for example, has pledged to focus on Democrats whose names might come up. And depending on what the Justice Department redacts, that could spark even more questions.
MARTÍNEZ: All right. NPR congressional reporter Sam Gringlas. Thanks a lot.
GRINGLAS: Thank you. Transcript provided by NPR, Copyright NPR.
NPR transcripts are created on a rush deadline by an NPR contractor. This text may not be in its final form and may be updated or revised in the future. Accuracy and availability may vary. The authoritative record of NPR’s programming is the audio record.
