The ongoing Jeffrey Epstein investigation has taken a new turn as newly released emails from a House oversight committee reportedly mention former President Donald Trump, sparking renewed debate over political connections to the disgraced financier. Lawmakers are now preparing for a critical vote next week on whether to publicly release additional files connected to the case.

According to committee staff, the emails were uncovered as part of a months-long review of communications between Epstein’s associates and political figures. While the content of the messages referencing Trump has not been made public, several members of Congress have urged transparency, arguing that the public has a right to know the full scope of Epstein’s network and its ties to influential figures.

In a brief statement, a spokesperson for President Trump called the release “another baseless political attempt to smear his name,” noting that Trump cut ties with Epstein years before the financier’s 2019 arrest. The spokesperson also added that the former president “has never been implicated in any wrongdoing.”

The House vote, expected to take place early next week, could determine whether hundreds of sealed files and communications will be released. These include emails, travel logs, and testimonies from Epstein’s inner circle. Lawmakers from both parties have expressed support for a full declassification, saying it is essential for accountability and public trust.

Epstein, who was arrested in 2019 on federal sex trafficking charges, died in jail later that year. His death, ruled a suicide, sparked widespread speculation and multiple investigations into how such a high-profile inmate was able to die under federal watch.

If the House approves the release, the additional files could shed new light on Epstein’s relationships with prominent political, business, and entertainment figures, and potentially reopen questions that have lingered for years.

The Justice Department and the House Oversight Committee have declined to comment on what specific documents may be included in the vote, citing ongoing review procedures.