White House faces bipartisan pressure to release Epstein documents

WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) – The White House faced tough questions Thursday as pressure mounted from both Democrats and Republicans over the administration’s refusal to release documents related to the Jeffrey Epstein case.

During a tense press briefing, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt dismissed the scrutiny as media-driven, accusing Democrats and members of the press of politicizing the issue.

“What [President Trump] doesn’t like is to see Democrats in the mainstream media covering this like it’s the biggest story that the American people care about,” Leavitt said.

Leavitt also said Democrats have “seized on” the controversy for political gain.

But Democratic leaders argue the Trump administration has only added fuel to the fire by previously suggesting a list of Epstein’s alleged clients existed, something the Department of Justice recently said was never confirmed.

“What are they hiding?” asked House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.), who said Democrats did not originate public speculation surrounding the files.

The demand for transparency is not limited to one party. Several Republicans have joined the call, urging the Department of Justice to release any relevant documents.

“I don’t know why we’d hold anything back,” said Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Mo.)

“They prosecuted Epstein himself before his death, and his longtime associate Ghislaine Maxwell. The American people deserve to know the facts.”

The White House insists the matter is in the hands of Attorney General Pam Bondi and the DOJ.

“If the attorney general and the Department of Justice and the FBI have any more credible evidence in regards to Jeffrey Epstein’s crimes, they should put that forward,” Leavitt said.

Frustration among the president’s supporters has grown online in recent days, with increasing demands for accountability.

According to sources cited by The Hill, House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) is reportedly weighing a measure that would support the release of the so-called Epstein files.

Democrats have signaled openness to a bipartisan push.

“The most important thing that could be done is for Congress to act in a bipartisan way to demand the American people get the transparency they deserve,” Jeffries said.