President Donald Trump on Sunday urged House Republicans to support a vote to release additional documents related to the late financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, signaling a reversal from earlier resistance by his administration. In a post on Truth Social, Trump insisted his party “has nothing to hide” and noted the Justice Department has already released tens of thousands of pages involving figures like Bill Clinton, Reid Hoffman and Larry Summers.

The request comes ahead of a planned House vote this week on the Epstein Files Transparency Act, which would compel the DOJ to unseal more records from Epstein’s federal cases. The legislation has drawn a mix of support and caution: some Republicans and Democrats back greater transparency, while others remain hesitant about the implications of broad disclosures.

Republicans including House Speaker Mike Johnson have emphasized that releasing the files serves to show there is “nothing to hide” and to dispel allegations around Epstein’s connections. At the same time, some lawmakers, such as Thomas Massie, suggest that while the push appears bipartisan, concerns remain about the timing and scope of release.

Democrats, including members of the House Oversight Committee, have pressed for unsealing documents they argue expose Epstein’s network of influential associates across politics, business, and entertainment. The committee recently released an additional 20,000 pages of estate documents, which include communications in which Epstein expressed sharp disdain for Donald Trump. In a February 8, 2017 email to former Treasury Secretary Lawrence Summers, Epstein wrote: “I have met some very bad people … none as bad as Trump. Not one decent cell in his body.. so yes – dangerous.” In a separate message dated February 1, 2019, Epstein claimed Trump “knew about the girls … and came to my house many times during that period. He never got a massage.” These newly public communications reveal Epstein’s explicit contempt for Trump and depict a personal hostility that extended well beyond political disagreement.

Also among the newly released records are exchanges involving Stacey Plaskett, Delegate to Congress from the U.S. Virgin Islands, renewing scrutiny of her interactions with Epstein. The Washington Post reported that the timing and content of Epstein’s messages align closely with Plaskett’s actions during a 2019 House hearing in which she questioned witness Michael Cohen. According to the timestamped texts, Epstein sent the message “Chewing?” at the same moment Plaskett was visibly chewing gum; immediately afterward, she stopped. Minutes later, Epstein wrote “RONA – keeper of the secrets,” prompting the unnamed recipient to respond, “Quick I'm up next is that an acronym?” Shortly after, Plaskett asked Cohen, “what is Ms. Rona’s position?” Epstein then texted, “Good work.” Although the released documents redact the recipient’s name, multiple news organizations have noted the synchronization between the texts and Plaskett’s conduct during the hearing. Plaskett has not denied the communication.

In July 2019, shortly after Epstein’s arrest, Plaskett received campaign contributions from Epstein. She initially resisted returning them, but later reversed course amid public criticism. “I regret accepting that campaign contribution, but at the time I was unaware that my campaign had received it,” she told the Consortium in 2023. Plaskett’s office has responded to the new scrutiny by stating the exchanges involved texts from staff, constituents, and the public, including Epstein, and that she didn’t use the messages inappropriately. “As a former prosecutor she welcomes information that helps her get at the truth… The congresswoman has previously made clear her long record combating sexual assault and human trafficking,” said her chief of staff.

Epstein’s legal history is extensive. He was first arrested in July 2006 after a grand jury indicted him on a state charge of soliciting prostitution. He pleaded guilty on June 30 2008 to two Florida state felonies—solicitation of prostitution and solicitation of prostitution with a minor—and was sentenced to 18 months in a county jail, though he served 13 months under a work-release program. In July 2019, he faced new federal sex-trafficking charges in New York, pleaded not guilty, and died by suicide in his cell in August 2019 while awaiting trial.

If the vote passes, additional Epstein-related files—including potential FBI and internal Justice Department documents—could be released.