Fact Check: Biden wanted to release the epstein files but Republicans blocked it

Fact Check: "Biden wanted to release the Epstein files but Republicans blocked it"

What We Know

The claim that "Biden wanted to release the Epstein files but Republicans blocked it" stems from recent events in Congress regarding the handling of documents related to Jeffrey Epstein, a convicted sex offender. In July 2025, House Democrats attempted to push for a vote to release Epstein-related files, led by Rep. Ro Khanna (D-California) and supported by House Democratic leadership. However, this effort was blocked by House Republicans, who voted against the procedural motion that would have allowed the measure to proceed to a full House vote (source-1, source-4).

While President Biden's administration has not explicitly stated a desire to release the Epstein files, the Democratic push in Congress suggests a willingness to pursue transparency on the matter. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-New York) emphasized the need for transparency, stating, "If you’re not hiding anything, prove that to the American people" (source-1).

Analysis

The assertion that Biden wanted to release the Epstein files is somewhat misleading. While there is evidence that Democrats, including Biden's administration, support the release of these files, there is no direct statement or action from Biden himself indicating he personally sought to release them. The Democratic leadership in the House has taken steps to push for transparency, but these actions are more reflective of the party's stance rather than a direct order from the President (source-1, source-6).

On the Republican side, the blocking of the vote by House Republicans indicates a division within the party regarding the Epstein files. Some Republicans, including Speaker Mike Johnson, have expressed support for transparency, yet they still voted against the procedural motion that would have allowed the vote to take place (source-1, source-5). This contradiction raises questions about the motivations behind the Republican opposition to the release of the files.

The sources used in this analysis are credible news outlets, including The Washington Post, BBC, and Newsweek, which are known for their journalistic standards. However, the political nature of the topic may introduce some bias, particularly in how different parties are portrayed.

Conclusion

The claim that "Biden wanted to release the Epstein files but Republicans blocked it" is Partially True. While there is a clear effort by House Democrats to push for the release of Epstein-related files, there is no direct evidence that President Biden himself has made such a request. The blocking of the vote by Republicans does indicate a significant political maneuvering around the issue, but it does not fully support the claim as stated.

Fact Check: Biden wanted to release the epstein files but Republicans blocked it