Former President Donald Trump has reversed course and is now publicly urging House Republicans to vote in favor of releasing the long-sealed Justice Department files connected to Jeffrey Epstein. The shift comes as Congress prepares for a critical vote on the Epstein Files Transparency Act, which would force the DOJ to disclose investigative records tied to Epstein’s trafficking network and his death in federal custody.

The bill, originally introduced by Reps. Thomas Massie (R-KY) and Ro Khanna (D-CA), has gained bipartisan traction and could move forward through a discharge petition if House leadership delays action. Trump, who previously dismissed demands for full transparency as a “Democrat hoax,” now says releasing the documents is necessary to “show the public the truth.”

Trump made the announcement on Truth Social, writing that “there is nothing to hide” and encouraging Republicans to vote yes. His message aligned with House Speaker Mike Johnson, who also supported the release and echoed Trump’s insistence that transparency would settle speculation surrounding the case.

The political stakes are high. A growing number of lawmakers across both parties argue that unsealing the Epstein files would provide answers to lingering questions about Epstein’s network, how he operated for decades, and why his criminal activities were not halted earlier. Advocates for Epstein’s survivors say full disclosure would bring long-overdue accountability.

However, the Justice Department is expected to push for redactions, citing the need to protect victim identities, ongoing investigations, and sensitive national-security information. Senate support for the bill remains uncertain, even as public pressure intensifies.

Trump’s reversal highlights the growing influence of transparency advocates, internal divisions within the Republican Party, and the political sensitivity surrounding Epstein’s ties to wealthy and powerful individuals. For now, all eyes are on the upcoming House vote, which could lead to the most significant document release in the Epstein case since his 2019 arrest.