House Votes to Release Epstein Files, Some GOP Candidates Silent
The House of Representatives voted decisively on Tuesday to disclose Justice Department documents concerning the Jeffrey Epstein sex predator investigation. However, several Republican congressional hopefuls have not publicly stated whether they would have supported the measure.
American Journal News reached out to Republican candidates in Michigan, Iowa, and Ohio to gauge their stance on the decision. Notably, candidates from these states, including MI-10’s Mike Bouchard Jr. and Robert Lulgjuraj, IA-2’s Joe Mitchell and Charlie McClintock, OH-9’s Josh Williams, Derek Merrin, and Alea Nadeem, as well as OH-1’s Eric Conroy, declined to comment on the record.
Despite President Donald Trump’s initial resistance to the release of the files, he reversed his position on Sunday night, as it became evident that House Republicans intended to support the release regardless of his stance.
Robert Lulgjuraj suggested through a social media post that he might have supported the measure, while simultaneously labeling the Epstein investigation a “hoax” and indicating that his support was subject to Trump’s approval.
“President Trump is right, time to end the distraction,” Lulgjuraj stated. “Release it, get it over with, and let’s get back to fixing the economy. That’s what people care about. Enough with the hoaxes and political games.”
Similarly, Josh Williams minimized the Epstein scandal in a July social media post, alleging it was being exploited by Democrats for political gain.
“We won’t let the Left use a monster like Epstein to divide MAGA,” Williams asserted. “We’re winning—and we’re just getting started. The best is yet to come.”
Speculation persists regarding Trump’s involvement in the investigation, due to his past association with Epstein. Journalist Michael Wolff has claimed that Epstein possessed photographs of Trump with young women in bikinis, stored in a personal safe. When questioned by Senate Democrats, Attorney General Pam Bondi and FBI Director Kash Patel did not confirm the existence of such photos.
Trump has faced allegations of sexual misconduct from at least 28 women. In a civil case last year, a court found him liable for sexual abuse against writer E. Jean Carroll, who accused Trump of rape in a department store dressing room in 1996.
Following the House’s decision, the Senate also approved the release of the Epstein files, which Trump subsequently signed. The extent of the release remains uncertain, as Bondi and the Justice Department have significant discretion over the volume of files disclosed and potential redactions.
Polling suggests a disconnect between Lulgjuraj and Williams’ positions and the general public. A PBS/Marist poll revealed that 61% of voters advocate for the full release of the Epstein files, while 13% support a partial release.
Epstein’s death by suicide occurred in a Manhattan jail cell in 2019.
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