• Victims of Jeffrey Epstein demand public release of files during a Capitol press conference.
• Representatives Ro Khanna and Thomas Massie are spearheading legislation to force the release.
• The press conference is expected to highlight personal stories of Epstein's victims.
• There is bipartisan support as pressure mounts on the Justice Department for the release.
• House Speaker Mike Johnson questions the necessity of the proposed legislation amid ongoing document releases.

A press conference is set to take place at the Capitol where ten victims of Jeffrey Epstein plan to advocate for the public release of documents related to the convicted sex offender's crimes. This event, organized by Representatives Ro Khanna (D-Calif.) and Thomas Massie (R-Ky.), aims to highlight testimonies that Khanna describes as potentially "explosive." He expressed that the stories shared will evoke outrage among Americans who will hear the victims' call for closure, especially given that many have not publicly spoken before, according to India Times.

There is "enormous pressure" from stakeholders to release all Epstein-related files, as mentioned by Representative Debbie Dingell (D-Mich.). Dingell emphasized that many victims are hesitant to come forward, reinforcing the significance of the upcoming press conference. She noted the importance of exposing their stories, suggesting that Americans will respond positively to these personal accounts. The movement seeks to compel the Department of Justice to make these files available publicly, according to The Hill.

In conjunction with the push from Khanna and Massie, more than 33,000 pages of Epstein-related documents were recently released by a Republican-led House committee, which has sought to manage the political fallout surrounding Epstein and provide some transparency. Speaker Johnson labeled the new proposal as "moot," explaining that it lacks necessary protections for victims' identities. As the efforts for transparency continue, both victims and advocates remain determined to stress the urgency of fully disclosing Epstein's connections and crimes, according to Reuters.