skip to contentAdvertisementTrump’s dramatic reversal on the Epstein files stance came late on Sunday as he called the Epstein files a "Democratic hoax".By: Express Web Desk November 18, 2025 06:18 AM IST First published on: Nov 18, 2025 at 06:18 AM IST ShareWhatsapptwitterFacebookAudrey Strauss, Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, speaks during a news conference to announce charges against Ghislaine Maxwell for her alleged role in the sexual exploitation and abuse of multiple minor girls by Jeffrey Epstein in New York. (AP Photo/ File)The Republican controlled US House of Representatives is heading for a vote to force the Justice Department to release files related to deceased sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, with the passage seen almost confirmed after President Donald Trump urged the House Republicans to vote to release the the late financier’s files, as he claimed it’s a “Democratic hoax”.Trump’s dramatic reversal on the Epstein files stance came late on Sunday after the House, which had returned to Washington after nearly two months absence during the federal government shutdown, gathered enough support to force a vote and it became a rare instance where the House Republicans defied Trump’s wishes.Why is the House about to voteA bill was brought in the House titled, Epstein Files Transparency Act, and Democratic Representative from California, Ro Khanna and Republican Representative from Kentucky, Thomas Massie brought in a petition in July to force a vote on the bill. The effort was backed by all House Democrats and four Republicans, namely: Massie and Reps. Lauren Boebert of Colorado, Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia and Nancy Mace of South Carolina."We have nothing to do with Epstein; the Democrats do. All of his friends were Dems… I hate to see that deflect from the great job we've done, so I'm all for it," says @POTUS on releasing the Epstein files."It's really a Democrat problem. The Dems were Epstein's friends." pic.twitter.com/rNFbK5CiTT— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) November 17, 2025To reach the majority mark of 218 in a 435-member House, an effort to force a vote on releasing Epstein files required one more vote. As soon as Democrat Adelita Grijalva of Arizona was sworn into office last week, she signed the petition and House Speaker Mike Johnson said he would expedite the process for vote on the bill on the House floor.What does the bill doThe bill, if passed in the House, would force the US Justice Department to release all the files and communications related to late convicted sex offender Epstein and about the investigation that took place around his death in a federal prison. However, any information linked to the ongoing investigation and the names of Epstein’s victims would not be available.The Justice Department, however, will not be able to restrict any information or files due to “embarrassment, reputational harm, or political sensitivity, including to any government official, public figure, or foreign dignitary,” AP reported.Most ReadWhen will the bill be voted and will it passThe bill is certainly going to pass in the House of Representatives as it goes on the floor for a vote on Tuesday (local time) but the exact timing of the vote remains unclear. However, it is uncertain if the bill would also pass the Republican controlled Senate where President Trump’s party holds a majority with 53-47.And even if the bill is passed in both houses of the US Congress, it still remains unclear as to when the files would be released by the Justice Department and whether it would satisfy its ardent campaigners.(with inputs from agencies)AdvertisementAdvertisementLoading Taboola...