Trump changed his position on the publication of the "Epstein case": a political maneuver under pressure from Congress – Rezazade

US President Donald Trump unexpectedly called on Republicans in the House of Representatives to support the demand for the publication of documents from the Department of Justice related to the Jeffrey Epstein case.

His statement was a sharp U-turn after weeks of resistance and active pressure on congressmen who demanded transparency. According to the first vice president of the Iranian opposition in Washington, international expert Ali Reza Rezazade, this U-turn indicates serious domestic political challenges for the president.

Rezazade emphasizes that Trump's position has changed not because of a desire to increase transparency, but because of growing opposition within the Republican Party itself. “When Republican congressmen began to openly advocate for the release of documents, and the number of signatures on the petition to force the bill to be put to a vote became critical, Trump understood: resistance could cause him political harm. Therefore, he chose the tactic of preemption - to lead a process that was already difficult to stop,” the expert notes.

He emphasizes that the “Epstein case” remains a sensitive topic for American politics, as it affects the interests of representatives of both parties, as well as influential businessmen and statesmen. “For Trump, this story has always been potentially dangerous. Even if there is no direct evidence of his involvement, the very information toxicity of the case poses a political risk. The U-turn that we are seeing now is an attempt to reduce pressure and seize the initiative,” says Rezazade.

In his opinion, Trump’s decision to support the vote became possible only after it became clear that a significant part of Republicans were ready to vote contrary to his position. “When the president sees that control over the faction is weakening, he is forced to adapt. Trump always tries to look like a leader who makes decisions by force, not under pressure. That is why he declared that ‘we have nothing to hide,’ although a few days ago he demanded to block this document,” the expert notes.

Rezazade believes that Trump’s public support for the vote is aimed at minimizing reputational risks before the 2026 elections. “Trump understands that if Republicans look like they are hiding information, this will become an ideal tool for Democrats. Therefore, he is trying to present himself as a supporter of transparency, while continuing to call the case a ‘Democratic hoax,’” he notes.

The expert emphasizes that this case demonstrates internal tension in the Republican Party and the gradual erosion of discipline, which has traditionally been Trump’s strength. "If Republicans are ready to go against the president on such a sensitive topic, it's a signal: Trump's control over the party is no longer absolute. And this could matter in the next year and a half of political battles," Ali Reza Rezazade concluded.

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