Representative Eric Swalwell (D-Calif.) suggested on Wednesday that a significant number of Republican lawmakers might eventually come around to backing a move to compel the Justice Department to disclose documents related to the late financier Jeffrey Epstein.
“It seems like the end is near. I had conversations with several House Republicans this week, and they admitted to me that Trump’s influence is fading. As one said, ‘This Epstein bomb is about to drop, and then it’s over.’ I’m really focused on advocating for child safety. It’s just a matter of time,” Swalwell noted on the social platform X.
He also shared that a Republican reached out to him, expecting that more than 100 members of Congress could feel the pressure if there’s a vote to expel Epstein. “Trump is not going to take that well!” he added.
Recently, the Trump administration has faced mounting scrutiny from both sides regarding its approach to documents tied to Epstein, who died by suicide in 2019 while awaiting a trial for sex trafficking.
Representative Thomas Massie (R-Ky.), along with Representative Ro Khanna (D-Calif.), is advancing a petition aimed at instigating a House vote on the release of Epstein’s files. Massie indicated on X that House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) has postponed sessions to dodge a vote on this issue.
“Why are we on recess? Because I have 218 votes ready for the expulsion petition as soon as we resume,” he declared.
Johnson, along with most Democrats and some Republicans, has delayed the swearing-in of Democratic Rep.-elect Adelita Grijalva from Arizona. Grijalva’s vote would be critical for the discharge petition.
Johnson dismissed any linkage between his decision regarding Grijalva and any discharge petitions, explaining that she would be sworn in when the government shutdown concludes. “I’ve got no role in that. I’ll swear her in when everyone’s back,” he explained at a press conference.
On Tuesday, Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) stated she feels greater pressure regarding her own petition to prompt a House vote on releasing Epstein-related files than on any other matter. “This discharge petition has my name on it, and I’ve honestly never experienced this level of pressure before. It’s quite surprising. It’s hard to wrap my head around why this is such a hot topic,” Greene told NewsNation.
The Hill has reached out to the White House for their response.
