Representative Melanie Stansbury from New Mexico has made serious accusations, claiming that key files in the Jeffrey Epstein investigation are being hidden from the public.
Stansbury Calls Out New Epstein Cover-Up
She says that President Donald Trump and Republican leaders are working together to prevent the full release of important documents.
Stansbury, a member of the House Oversight Committee, spoke on a news program about the recently released Epstein files. She highlighted references to Trump found in Epstein’s birthday book from 2003, which included a letter to Epstein for his 50th birthday.
“I see a new Epstein cover up,” Stansbury said. She accused Trump of hiding information about Epstein’s criminal activities for decades. According to her, the documents released so far reveal only a small part of what the government knows. Many pages remain heavily redacted, limiting public access to important details.
The House Oversight Committee has released more than 30,000 pages of documents. Critics note that some of this information was already public. However, Stansbury emphasized that victims’ accounts reveal trauma and a cover-up involving wealthy and powerful people, as well as government officials. She said the released documents are just the tip of the iceberg.
Discharge Petition Sparks Tension
The controversy also involves a bipartisan effort led by Representatives Thomas Massie and Ro Khanna. They filed a discharge petition to force the Justice Department to release all Epstein files within 30 days. So far, 134 lawmakers have signed the petition, including 130 Democrats and four Republicans. A total of 218 signatures are needed to force a House vote.
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The White House has labeled the petition a “hostile act” toward the Trump administration. A senior official warned that lawmakers supporting it could face political pressure. Meanwhile, the Justice Department said it prefers releasing files through the House Oversight Committee rather than a discharge petition.
Stansbury specifically criticized House Speaker Mike Johnson and Representative James Comer, accusing them of using obstruction tactics to slow the investigation. She described a meeting with Epstein victims where Democrats suggested using all congressional committees to examine the matter. According to Stansbury, Johnson dismissed the idea as unnecessary.
Heavy Redactions Limit Public Insight
The documents released include letters, names, and other materials linked to Epstein. Many pages remain heavily redacted, hiding key information about people involved and how crimes were handled. Stansbury said that withholding this information prevents Americans from seeing the full scope of the network connected to Epstein.
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Victims’ stories in the documents show years of trauma and the involvement of influential individuals. Stansbury stressed that the current releases only show a fraction of what the government possesses. She believes the withheld files could reveal a much larger network and implicate high-profile figures, including some in government.
The situation has created tension in Congress. Democrats, led by Stansbury and other members, are pushing for full transparency. Republican leaders, including Johnson and Comer, appear resistant to releasing all documents. The debate highlights ongoing concerns about accountability and the protection of victims in high-profile criminal cases.