The release of Jeffrey Epstein’s files has long been anticipated, but lawmakers may face more than just logistical hurdles in getting them into the public’s hands. Rep. James Comer, the investigation’s lead, is now raising concerns about credibility—but some insiders say his real concern is managing the political fallout for President Donald Trump and the GOP.
“There’s so many conspiracy theories,” Comer said, highlighting the skepticism surrounding the files. He added that some Americans may “never believe” what they read, and warned, “I fear the report will be like the Warren Report. Nobody will ever believe it.”
While these concerns could be interpreted as a genuine caution about public trust, sources suggest they also give Comer political cover. Politico writer Hailey Fuchs noted, “But the most significant challenge Comer faces is managing the political fallout for Trump and the GOP writ large.” By framing delays as necessary for credibility, Comer may be softening the political blow to Republicans who could be implicated in the files or pressured by their release.
Structural hurdles also provide a convenient excuse. Comer noted, “If there is no Epstein list, and the American people expect us to compose an Epstein list, if we don’t get any names from the victims, it’s going to be hard to do.” Without names from victims, the report could appear incomplete, giving Comer more leeway to control timing.
Trump himself appears supportive of Comer. A White House insider told Politico: “The president likes James Comer a lot. In fact, I spoke with [Trump] recently about [Comer] and he said he’s always been good and with him all the way. There’s no problems there.” This support signals that delaying the files may not draw presidential pushback, allowing Comer to navigate political sensitivities without friction.
Even the vote to release the files has tested GOP unity. A report described the House discharge petition as effectively “declaring war on the president,” and Kentucky Rep. Thomas Massie’s bipartisan push put members in a difficult spot. Rep. Don Bacon noted that Speaker Mike Johnson “tries his best” to keep the party together, but the Epstein vote highlighted internal fractures.
Whether Comer’s warnings about public skepticism are entirely sincere or partly a political strategy, the timing of the files’ release is now inseparable from the optics for the Republican Party. With each delay, the investigation’s content becomes secondary to the question of how it affects GOP leadership and Trump’s political standing.
