This morning’s live focused on two major developments in the Jeffrey Epstein investigation: former President Bill Clinton’s deposition before the House Oversight Committee, and growing Republican pressure to release the remaining Epstein files.
Democrats, led publicly by Robert Garcia, framed the deposition as a serious effort to seek answers for survivors—not a partisan spectacle. But by bringing in both Clintons, Republicans may have set a precedent that could boomerang back on Donald Trump. If former presidents can be compelled to testify, Democrats argue, so can Trump—whose name reportedly appears extensively in the Epstein files.
The live also broke down reporting that key FBI documents tied to a 2019 allegation involving Trump may be missing from recent DOJ releases. That’s where things get politically volatile. Senators including Chuck Grassley and John Kennedy are now publicly calling for full disclosure under the Epstein Files Transparency Act.
If senior Republicans are demanding release, the pressure shifts from partisan fight to institutional accountability. The big question now: will there be formal action—letters, hearings, subpoenas—or is this just rhetoric?
The lid may be starting to lift.
What to watch next
1. Will Senate Republicans put it in writing?
If senators like Chuck Grassley or John Kennedy formally submit a letter demanding full compliance with the Epstein Files Transparency Act, that’s a point of no return. A public letter creates a paper trail. No quiet backtracking.
2. Will Democrats formally request Trump’s testimony?
After deposing Bill Clinton, Democrats argue a precedent has been set. If they move to compel testimony from Donald Trump, the political stakes escalate immediately.
3. Will DOJ explain the missing metadata?
Reporting suggests multiple FBI interview summaries tied to a 2019 allegation may not have been released. If there’s no clear explanation for gaps in document numbering or timestamps, that becomes its own scandal.
4. Will this stay bipartisan — or snap back to tribal lines?
If Republican calls for transparency fade, that tells you everything about how serious this push really is.
