Description: Representatives from the group of victims abused by convicted sex trafficker, Jeffrey Epstein, held a press conference on the US Capitol Hill accompanied by members of the Republican party, Marjorie Taylor Greene and Thomas Massie. The House Oversight Committee acting on a previously issued subpoena to the US Department of Justice, earlier released up to 34 thousand documents which were part of the larger criminal inquiry regarding Epstein and his associate, Ghislaine Maxwell. Greene and Massie have stated that they are petitioning for the files to be read before the House of Representatives, citing that they would use congressional immunity and protection from prosecution to read the Epstein client list. In order for the petition to be initiated, the Republican representatives would need 218 signatures, which meant that the entire Democratic political camp and up to 6 members of the Republican party would have to sign the petition. Independent of the political and legislative push for the release of the files regarding Epstein, the group of victims have stated they intended on compiling their own list of individuals involved in Epstein’s criminal circle regardless of the legal consequences.
Impact: The Trump administration is faced with unrelentless political and legislative pressure over the controversies surrounding the investigation regarding Epstein. US President Donald Trump has attempted to dissuade the public and distract it from the growing issue through the release of almost 34 thousand files pertaining to the investigation. The situation has also created discord within the Republican party as representatives Greene and Massie have pushed for the complete release of the investigative material opposing Trump’s attempts for distraction and dissuasion. Pressure from the group of victims has also risen, as they have stated that an independent list of individuals involved with Epstein would be released, disregarding legal consequences. Regardless of the political and legal outcome of the initiative to release the documents, the scandal would most definitely damage the current US administration, cause wider political unrest and undermine Trump’s presidency.