U.S. House Pushes Trump to Release Epstein Files Amid Political Tensions

The U.S. House of Representatives, with a Republican majority, voted overwhelmingly to demand the release of Justice Department files on Jeffrey Epstein. This vote follows President Trump's reversal on opposing the release. The issue has created a schism between Trump and his supporters, and many view Trump's reaction as a political misstep.

The U.S. House of Representatives, led by Republicans, passed a resolution on Tuesday requiring the Justice Department to release all unclassified records about Jeffrey Epstein. This comes after an unexpected shift in stance by President Donald Trump, who had long opposed the move. The resolution passed significantly, with a vote of 427-1.

Survivors of Epstein's alleged abuse joined a bipartisan group of lawmakers to advocate for the release of the documents. This issue has strained Trump's relations with some supporters, as he previously promoted conspiracy theories regarding Epstein's connections to influential figures.

Trump's past social ties with Epstein have resurfaced, posing a rare vulnerability among his base. Although he attempted to frame the issue as partisan, calling it a "Democratic hoax," Trump's previous opposition has created discord within his party. The Senate's next steps remain uncertain as debates continue on the matter's sensitivity.

(With inputs from agencies.)