Survivors of Jeffrey Epstein are renewing demands for the government to release all files related to the late financier’s criminal case as the U.S. House of Representatives moves toward a critical vote on the issue. The push comes after explosive correspondence from Epstein’s estate was made public this week, reigniting public attention on the case.
Rep. Adelita Grijalva of Arizona, newly sworn in after a seven-week delay, added the final signature to a bipartisan discharge petition that will force a House vote on releasing the files. Survivors say the petition represents a small but important step toward transparency. “We can’t stop putting the pressure, because it’s only one tiny victory,” said Jess Michaels, a survivor, in an interview with NBC News. Liz Stein, another survivor, urged Americans to view the matter beyond political lines, framing it as an issue of human trafficking.
Tensions escalated Wednesday when the House Oversight Committee’s Democrats released emails from Epstein’s estate in which the disgraced financier claimed that former President Donald Trump “knew about the girls” and “spent hours” with one of Epstein’s victims. Shortly afterward, Republican members of the committee released approximately 20,000 documents connected to the case.
Trump, who has faced scrutiny over his relationship with Epstein, has repeatedly denied any involvement. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said in a statement that the Democrats “selectively leaked emails to the liberal media to create a fake narrative” against the former president. Leavitt also referenced the late Virginia Giuffre, a prominent Epstein victim, saying she had consistently denied any wrongdoing by Trump. Giuffre died by suicide in April, and her family has criticized Republicans for naming her as the “victim” in the emails. Amanda Roberts, Giuffre’s sister-in-law, called the identification a “slap in the face” but emphasized it underscores the need for full release of the government files.
Epstein survivors have been vocal in pressing for transparency. Danielle Bensky, another victim, told CNN that releasing the files is essential to ensure accountability. A group of survivors held a press conference in September urging Congress to back the effort, with one participant, Marina Lacerda, stating, “It’s not okay for us to be silenced.”
The bipartisan discharge petition, led by Republican Rep. Thomas Massie of Kentucky and Democratic Rep. Ro Khanna of California, has secured the signatures of a majority of House members, including four Republicans. Grijalva’s recent swearing-in provided the decisive 218th signature. House Speaker Mike Johnson said the vote on the measure compelling the Department of Justice to release all Epstein-related government files will take place next week.
The upcoming vote marks a key moment in the ongoing debate over transparency, accountability, and justice for Epstein’s victims. Survivors and advocates say it is a critical step toward ensuring that the full scope of the case is made public.