Summary
Recent discussions in the U.S. House have focused on the potential release of files related to Jeffrey Epstein. President Donald Trump initially opposed this but later told House Republicans to support the files' release. Lawmakers have gathered enough signatures to force a vote soon on making these documents public.
Key Facts
- President Trump initially tried to stop efforts to release the Epstein files.
- On November 16, he changed his stance and encouraged House Republicans to vote to release the files.
- A petition with 218 signatures allowed a House vote to be scheduled.
- The vote on the bill to release the files is expected to happen this week.
- Trump's earlier dismissal of the matter included calling it a Democratic hoax.
- Epstein had previous social ties with Trump but they later had a falling out.
- Epstein was convicted in 2008 for state charges related to soliciting prostitution from a minor.
- Epstein was arrested again in 2019 on charges of sex trafficking; he was found dead in his jail cell, with suicide as the cause of death.
