Trump, allies make last-ditch effort to stop Epstein discharge petition

President Donald Trump and key administration leaders are making a last-ditch play to convince House lawmakers to abandon a discharge petition that would force the House to vote on releasing the Epstein files.

Trump personally called Rep. Nancy Mace, R-S.C., though the missed it, The Hill reported. Multiple Department of Justice officials, including Attorney General Pam Bondi, also met with Rep. Lauren Boebert, R-Colo.

Both have signed on to the petition, which is expected to gain its final signature when House Speaker Mike Johnson swears in Rep.-elect Adelita Grijalva, D-Ariz., this week.

The bill itself will not force the release of the Epstein files, merely a vote that will force lawmakers to go on record with their position. Trump has called the Epstein issue a hoax, though he campaigned on releasing the information about the case.

Ben Whedon is the Chief Political Correspondent at Just the News. Follow him on X.