Where the Epstein files release effort stands as victims push for information from Trump, Congress

Jeffrey Epstein’s accusers traveled to Capitol Hill this week to implore Trump and Congress to release all of the government’s files related to his investigation.

WASHINGTON — Jeffrey Epstein’s accusers traveled to Capitol Hill this week to implore President Donald Trump and Congress to release all of the government’s files related to the investigation into the late financier and convicted sex offender.

Despite that pressure campaign, it’s unclear whether more documents will be made public or if the names of others who took part in Epstein’s crimes will come to light.

Lawmakers pushing for the release of the records say they’re on track to collect enough signatures to force a vote by the end of the month that would require the Justice Department to release the files. But the so-called discharge petition would still need to pass the Senate, which remains a big question mark.

Behind the scenes, the White House has been trying to kill the petition, targeting the trio of GOP women who have signed on, as well as the other Republicans who might join them, members said. “President Trump has been very clear on this for a while, including again this morning: This is being pushed by Democrats to distract from his wins,” one Trump adviser told NBC News on Friday (though many of the calls for releasing the Epstein files have come from within the president’s own party).

“Everyone here is on the same page with that, and anyone who continues to focus on this, regardless of party, will not be received well,” the adviser, speaking on the condition of anonymity to discuss internal thinking, warned.