Trump officials say president is plotting new wave of retribution after Epstein bill vote [View all]

Source: The Independent

Wednesday 19 November 2025 13:09 EST


The White House is planning to use the Epstein files against Democrats after they, in addition to several Republicans, successfully pressured lawmakers to vote to compel the Justice Department to release the remainder of the files against President Donald Trump’s wishes.

After both chambers of Congress agreed to send the Epstein Files Transparency Act to Trump’s desk, two unnamed White House officials indicated to Politico that they plan to draw attention to Democrats who communicated with or were associated with Epstein. “Democrats only started talking about the Epstein files once they thought they could use it to score political points against President Trump,” an unnamed White House official told Politico. “That will prove to be a mistake for them.”

For months, Democrats have been using Trump’s refusal to release the documents about the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein to speculate that the president is hiding something or covering for someone. He has denied any wrongdoing and any knowledge of the late financier’s crimes.

By consistently drawing attention to the matter, Trump has been unable to escape “guilty-by-association” criticisms and eventually relented – giving House Republicans his blessing to vote to force the release of documents this week.

Read more: https://www.the-independent.com/news/world/americas/us-politics/trump-white-house-retribution-democrats-epstein-b2868464.html