By Matt Underwood Trump has the power to release the Epstein files, with or without Congress, and that’s the heart of the matter. The whole dance around a congressional vote, the reversals in his public statements – it’s all a carefully orchestrated performance. He doesn’t actually *need* their permission. He has the power, right now, to order the Justice Department to release those files. He could have done it from the start.
This isn’t about legal technicalities; it’s about control and optics. By encouraging a vote, he can then, after it has passed, claim the DOJ is prevented from releasing them because of “an active investigation”. This is about maintaining a narrative, keeping the story alive, and managing the fallout. It allows him to appear supportive of transparency while simultaneously having an excuse for delay or selective release. He’s playing the game, making it look like he’s going along with the process, when in reality he’s holding all the cards.
The media often simplifies this process, but in this specific case, the New York Times, at least, got it right. If he wanted to release these files, he could. He could follow the precedents set by previous administrations that have declassified similar materials in the past. Remember the cases of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and President John F. Kennedy? Those were high-profile cases where the president ordered the release of information. Trump could do the same here.
This sudden turnabout reveals a deeper strategy. The timing suggests he’s trying to get ahead of the story. The DOJ has already stated they have over 300 gigabytes of data and physical evidence. A congressional vote might be the preferred method for releasing the files, but this doesn’t diminish his capacity to dictate the files’ release. Trump’s reversal is theater, and he’s using it to frame the narrative.
The potential for redactions and selective releases is high. The Justice Department has already pointed out the massive volume of data, including protected information. It’s a convenient excuse. The files can be scrubbed clean. This is how he’ll manage the flow of information. He can be seen as having taken the right step, while simultaneously controlling the information.
Don’t get it twisted – Trump is not suddenly concerned about transparency. He wants to control the narrative. The argument that he’s supporting the vote is just a ploy. The NYT is correct in its assessment that Trump’s actions are a manipulative, controlling step in dictating the narrative on the Epstein files. He’s trying to stay in control.
In the end, it’s all about the political game. The real truth is, Trump could order the release of these files immediately. The fact that he hasn’t underscores the political calculation at play. He’s gauging reactions, managing his image, and using the situation to his advantage. The Epstein case is a hot potato, and Trump is handling it with a masterful touch, making sure no matter what, he stays in the spotlight.