House Vote Sparks Epstein Files Release: Trump Faces GOP Rift

The U.S. House of Representatives voted overwhelmingly to release unclassified Justice Department files on Jeffrey Epstein. The move reveals a fracture within the Republican Party, exacerbated by President Trump's previous resistance. Survivors of Epstein's abuse joined the call for transparency, intensifying political conflict.

In a decisive move, the U.S. House of Representatives, led by Republicans, voted almost unanimously to release Justice Department files on the late Jeffrey Epstein, a convicted sex offender. The 427-1 vote demonstrates a growing rift within the Republican Party, especially between President Trump and some ardent supporters.

Before the vote, surviving victims of Epstein's alleged abuses, accompanied by bipartisan lawmakers, urged for the files' release at the U.S. Capitol. Their emotional pleas underscored the pervasive tension surrounding Epstein's connections to influential figures.

Despite Trump's change of heart on opposing the bill, questions surrounding Epstein have continued to haunt him, creating discord among his political base. Accusations of a cover-up persist, while the Senate remains unclear on its next steps regarding the resolution.

(With inputs from agencies.)