In a stunning display of political backtracking, House Republicans on the Rules Committee yesterday blocked a crucial Democratic amendment demanding the FULL public release of the Jeffrey Epstein files. This amendment, authored by Rep. Ro Khanna (D-CA), sought to force Attorney General Pam Bondi—under the Trump administration—to publish previously hidden documents that could expose the elite’s involvement in Epstein’s horrific 2019 child sex-trafficking case.
Despite President Donald Trump’s 2024 campaign pledge to release these files, GOP leadership on the committee voted 5-7 (with reports varying slightly) to block the amendment from even reaching the House floor for a vote. Only one Republican, Rep. Ralph Norman (R-SC), broke ranks to support transparency and truth, underscoring a troubling divide within the party on exposing corruption among the nation’s power brokers.
Rep. Khanna immediately called out the obstruction on social media: “Rules voted 5-7 to block the full House from voting on my amendment to have a FULL release of the Epstein file. People are fed up. They are fed up. Thanks Rep. Ralph Norman. Need to put the American people before party!”
This move is not just political theater; it’s a calculated betrayal of conservative principles like government transparency, accountability, and rooting out corruption. The Epstein files reportedly contain a “client list” of powerful individuals and thousands of hours of damning video evidence revealing the extent of child sexual abuse orchestrated by Epstein and his network. The American people have a right to know who was involved and to what extent the elites were protected.
Attorney General Pam Bondi, responsible for the Department of Justice under the Trump administration, had previously hinted at releasing the files but now appears to be backing down under political pressure. President Trump defended Bondi’s handling of the case but made clear he is distancing himself from the controversy—leaving conservatives hung out to dry on a core promise.
Democrats seized the moment to criticize, but their outrage rings hollow given their long history of shielding Epstein’s enablers. Rep. Jim McGovern (D-MA), top Democrat on the Rules Committee, stated bluntly, “I want to know what the hell is in these files,” accusing House Republicans of “backtracking” after Trump’s campaign pledge. However, this isn’t a left-versus-right issue—this is about conservatives and patriots demanding the truth.
The vote tally on the committee included nine Republicans, with only one breaking ranks to stand for the American people. Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) swiftly distanced Senate Republicans from the controversy, signaling a GOP retreat from transparency on this critical issue.
The blocking of the amendment has sparked backlash among conservative voices within the GOP, including prominent figures like Dan Bongino and Marjorie Taylor Greene, who are publicly demanding the Epstein documents’ release. Their calls reflect a growing grassroots push from MAGA supporters who refuse to let this scandal be quietly buried.
By tying the amendment to unrelated cryptocurrency legislation—the GENIUS Act—Rep. Khanna used a procedural tactic to highlight the importance of the files and pressure Republicans into action. Yet the obstruction reveals that party loyalty and protecting powerful elites remain more important than justice for victims and accountability under the Trump administration’s watch.
This controversy highlights a deeper problem: the erosion of trust in government institutions and the betrayal of Christian values by those who refuse to expose pure evil. America was founded on truth and righteousness, and shielding pedophiles and their protectors contradicts our nation’s moral foundation.
The fight for transparency is far from over. Rep. Khanna has vowed to reintroduce his amendment, and conservative pressure will continue mounting. The files remain in the hands of the DOJ and FBI under the Trump administration, making future legislative action or legal challenges the only means to force their release.
Conservatives must hold their leaders accountable for fulfilling President Trump’s promise to finally reveal the truth behind Epstein’s crimes. This is a test of the GOP’s commitment to justice, transparency, and returning to the principled America our forefathers envisioned. The battle to expose the corrupt elite is just beginning—and the American people demand nothing less than the whole story.
Steeve Strange is the CEO and Editor-in-Chief of The Scoop. A passionate defender of conservative values and constitutional freedoms, he founded The Scoop to deliver truthful, America First journalism. Contact: team@thescoop.us
