By Akeem Oduyoye.
President Donald Trump has stopped trying to block the release of the Epstein files in Washington, DC. He changed his position on Sunday evening after realizing he could not slow down the congressional plan to make the documents public and that he risked facing a major political defeat.
Advisers told Trump in recent days that the measure had strong support in Congress, and that fighting it would only make the situation worse. This led him to agree reluctantly that he would sign measure if it reached his desk.
On Monday, Trump confirmed from the Oval Office that he would approve the bill, saying, “Sure, I would.” His team had tried privately to convince some Republicans to pull back their support, but those efforts failed. He also criticized Republicans who supported the measure, calling them “soft and foolish,” and described the renewed focus on Epstein as a distraction.
Trump has long been frustrated that his name keeps getting pulled back into discussions about Epstein. People close to him say he sees the issue as unnecessary drama that interferes with his policy goals. He has also been annoyed that some of his own allies have pushed strongly for the release of the files.
Just two days before changing his stance, Trump publicly attacked Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene for supporting the measure, even withdrawing his endorsement and calling her a “traitor.” Despite this, he eventually accepted that the bill was certain to pass the House and that opposing it would only draw more negative attention.
Now, Trump and his allies view his shift as a strategic move. They hope that supporting the quick release of the files will help Republicans move past the controversy and allow the administration to refocus attention on issues Trump believes matter more to voters.
House Speaker Mike Johnson said, “We’ll just get this done and move it on,” adding that he believes there is “nothing to hide.” Johnson also hinted he may support the measure after previously siding with Trump, saying he felt more confident the Senate could adjust parts of the bill he was concerned about.
Trump echoed that approach on Monday, urging Republicans to turn their attention to topics he considers more important for the upcoming midterm elections. “All I want is for people to recognize a great job that I’ve done on pricing, on affordability,” he said.
In the meantime, Trump has also ordered a Justice Department investigation into Epstein’s connections with several political figures. A White House spokeswoman said this move shows Trump wants “transparency related to the Epstein files.”
It remains uncertain whether the Justice Department could use the active investigation as a reason to delay handing over documents once the new measure becomes law. The Senate is not expected to take up the issue until December at the earliest, giving the White House time to shift public focus back to other parts of Trump’s agenda.
Still, some advisers worry the issue could return at any moment, noting that conspiracy theories rarely disappear entirely. Trump himself acknowledged the ongoing pressure, saying on Monday, “No matter what we give, it’s never enough.”