House of Representatives votes to release Epstein files

For survivors, family and friends, the vote is a turning point in a decades-long fight for justice in which they have confronted not only Epstein, his money and powerful friends, but also, at times, the U.S. government and justice system.

Annie Farmer, one of the survivors, said her older sister, Maria, tried to report the abuse they both suffered at the hands of Epstein and Maxwell to the FBI in 1996, but her attempts went nowhere.

Farmer said justice has been denied at many points and under various administrations. The most recent example he cited was the Trump Justice Department’s decision not to release any more files and Maxwell’s transfer to a less restrictive prison where she reportedly received special treatment.

“This is not a matter of a few corrupt Democrats or a few corrupt Republicans,” Farmer said. “This is a case of institutional betrayal.”

Three members of Congress (Republican Thomas Massie, Democrat Ro Khanna and former MAGA Republican Marjorie Taylor Greene) attended the news conference on Capitol Hill. When the conference ended, Greene and Roberts embraced.

Greene said the survivors had fought some of the most powerful men in the world, including the U.S. president, referring to Trump. The two former allies have been spectacularly at loggerheads for a number of reasons, including Greene’s demand for the release of the Epstein files. Trump now calls her “Marjorie ‘Traitor’ Greene.”

“I was called a traitor by a man I fought for for six years,” Greene said. “Let me tell you what a traitor is. A traitor is an American who serves foreign countries and themselves. A patriot is an American who serves the United States and Americans, like the women who stand behind me.”

Greene said the real test for the bill will be whether the Justice Department will actually release the files or whether new investigations into Epstein’s connections to prominent Democrats — ordered by Trump last week — will impede the process.

“The list of names that these women have kept private – and they keep it because of the fear in their hearts of what will happen to them if they publish it on their own – will this list of names come out?” Greene asked.

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Sky Roberts then said it was time for Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, formerly Prince Andrew, to come to the US to testify before Congress. His evidence was sought by Democrats on the House Oversight Committee, but they were unable to compel him to participate.

“He should come to the United States and answer,” Roberts said. “I think the UK is doing a lot more than the US in terms of holding people to account. It needs to be held accountable for the actions it creates. I believe my sister.”

Roberts said she wanted to make sure her sister Virginia’s voice was heard at this important moment. “This is the moment he fought for,” he said.