Some prominent Republicans have defied President Donald Trump’s preferences by endorsing a motion to mandate a congressional vote on the release of additional Jeffrey Epstein-related documents. Among those supporting this initiative are Representatives Marjorie Taylor Greene, Lauren Boebert, Nancy Mace, and Thomas Massie. They are advocating for the Department of Justice and FBI to unveil documents previously kept from public scrutiny regarding the late child trafficker. This petition garnered 218 signatures following the House of Representatives’ return to Washington after a prolonged 43-day government shutdown.

Trump has consistently labeled the initiative as a ‘Democrat hoax,’ aiming to distance himself from the scandal, despite allegations of his past associations within circles connected to Epstein, who, like Trump, frequently stayed in both Florida and New York. The president’s administration reportedly expressed frustration over the Republican lawmakers’ dissent. As one White House official commented to NOTUS, “Supporting Democrats in diverting attention away from Republican achievements is not a smart move for GOP primary elections.”

This strategy perplexed some within the White House, especially given that Mace might seek Trump’s support in her gubernatorial ambitions in South Carolina. A source remarked, “I can’t imagine a less effective way to secure Trump’s endorsement than her actions this week.” The White House quickly responded to the purported rift. “Democrats and the mainstream media are trying to use this distraction to focus on anything other than their defeat by President Trump in the shutdown negotiations,” declared White House spokesperson Abigail Jackson in a statement to the Daily Mail.

Mace and Trump played ‘phone tag’ before the petition was finalized, and the two ultimately did not talk about the matter. A source familiar with the matter told NOTUS that Mace sent a ‘love letter’ to Trump about why she supported the petition. The source added that it was similar to a post the congresswoman published on X. Trump brought Boebert to the White House to reportedly show her evidence of the White House’s reasoning for opposing the law. Though that attempt failed, the Colorado lawmaker later supported the successful petition.

Greene, who has recently been outspoken in her positions that contrast with the Trump administration’s, has voiced her support for the release was inspired by Epstein’s survivors. ‘Many of the victims of Jeffrey Epstein were abused as teenagers,’ she posted on Friday. ‘They along with their attorneys have told me numerous times that President Trump is not implicated in this.’ ‘I stand with these women and all victims of sexual abuse. It is a shame our government is working harder to protect sexual offenders than they are fighting for the victims!’

Other GOP members have already noted they will vote for the measure when it comes to the floor for a full vote next week. Since the petition received signatures from half of the entire House, Speaker Mike Johnson is limited in his ability to quash the vote.

However, even if it passes, it remains to be seen how the Senate will deal with the measure – though senators have previously voiced concern about releasing additional files. Trump could also veto the bill if it does make it to his desk, too.