Loopholes could possibly conceal Epstein files

Under pressure, the House Oversight Committee released over 20,000 files from Epstein's estate that referenced Trump more than 1,000 times.

- 

PRESIDENT Trump answers questions in the Oval Office. If Congress approves the Epstein files act, it will still need Trump's signature.

(EVAN VUCCI Associated Press)

Those files, which included emails from Epstein himself, showed the notorious financier believed that Trump had intimate knowledge of his criminal conduct. "He knew about the girls," Epstein wrote, referring to Trump as the "dog that hasn't barked."

Rep. Dave Min (D-Irvine), a member of the oversight committee, noted that Trump could order the release of the Justice Department files without any action from Congress.

"The fact that he has not done so, coupled with his long and well-documented history of lying and obstructing justice, raises serious concerns that he is still trying to stop this investigation," Min said in an interview, "either by trying to persuade Senate Republicans to vote against the release or through other mechanisms."

After the House votes on the bill, titled the Epstein Files Transparency Act, bipartisan support in the Senate would be required to pass the measure. Trump would then have to sign it into law.

Trump encouraged Republican House members to support it over the weekend after enough GOP lawmakers broke ranks last week to compel a vote, overriding opposition from the speaker of the House. Still, it is unclear whether the president will support the measure as it proceeds to his desk.

On Monday, Trump said he would sign the bill if it ultimately passes. "Let the Senate look at it," he told reporters.