Survivors of Jeffrey Epstein’s abuse gathered in Washington, D.C. Wednesday, joining lawmakers from both parties in demanding the full release of the files on the late sex offender.
As many as 100 victims of Epstein’s abuse, along with other survivors of sexual abuse, came together for a joint news conference held by Congressmen Thomas Massie, a Republican, and Ro Khanna, a Democrat, and MAGA lawmaker Marjorie Taylor Greene.
This followed the GOP-led House Oversight Committee releasing more than 33,000 pages of documents related to Epstein after it subpoenaed the Justice Department for them. Democrats noted that “97 percent” of the material was already public.
One of those present was Marina Lacerda, previously only known as “minor victim one” in the 2019 indictment of Epstein: “I would like for them to give all the victims transparency, right, to what happened and release these files. It's also not only for the victims, but for the American people.”
Fellow survivor Haley Robson invited President Donald Trump to meet with her to understand that the Epstein files and investigation are not a hoax.
Speaking at the White House shortly after, Trump again referred to the files as a “Democrat hoax,” in response to a question from The Independent. He accused Democrats of “trying to get people to talk about something that's totally irrelevant to the success that we've had as a nation since I've been President.”
Read More
Key points
- Epstein victims invite Trump to meet with them, as he calls again calls case a 'hoax' — again
- 'Give me a list': Marjorie Taylor Greene says she will name names on behalf of victims
- Epstein survivor furious about Todd Blanche interview with Ghislaine Maxwell
- ANALYSIS: Can Epstein’s survivors beat back Trump’s pressure campaign over ‘files’?
- Missing minute in Jeffrey Epstein jail security video revealed in document dump
- More than 33,000 pages of Epstein files released by Republican House panel
Recap: Here's everything you need to know
03:07
,
Rachel Dobkin
- As many as 100 survivors of Jeffrey Epstein’s sexual abuse joined Representatives Thomas Massie, R-KY, Ro Khanna, D-CA, and Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-GA, for a news conference in Washington, D.C., pushing for the release of documents related to the late convicted sex offender.
- Massie has filed a discharge petition to force a House vote on the release of the Epstein files, the same day the House Oversight Committee released documents subpoenaed from the Justice Department that Democrats say are mostly already public.
- President Donald Trump called the Epstein files a “Democrat hoax” and “totally irrelevant.”
- Epstein survivor Haley Robson invited Trump to meet with her to understand that the files are not a hoax.
Trump claims to have not heard online speculation about his death over the weekend
Tuesday 2 September 2025 20:07
,
Oliver O'Connell
Asked about the social media speculation over the weekend that he had died, President Donald Trump said he had not heard about that.
He said he was very active over the weekend, citing interviews he had given, long Truth Social posts, and the visits to his golf club in Virginia to meet people.
The president said that reports about his health are “fake news.”
.@pdoocy: "How did you find out over the weekend that you were dead?"
— CSPAN (@cspan) September 2, 2025
President Trump: "Last week I did numerous news conferences...and then I didn't do any for two days and they said, 'there must be something wrong with him'. Biden wouldn't do them for months. You wouldn't see… pic.twitter.com/aoeb1Gi6M4
Trump says US 'shot out' Venezuela 'drug boat'
Tuesday 2 September 2025 20:15
,
Oliver O'Connell
President Donald Trump said on Tuesday that U.S. forces “shot out” what he described as a drug-carrying boat that he linked to Venezuela.
“We have a lot of drugs pouring into our country, coming in for a long time. And we just, these came out of Venezuela,” said Trump, who did not provide details of the operation.
The U.S. has deployed several ships in the southern Caribbean with the aim of following through on Trump's pledge to crack down on drug cartels.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio tweeted:
Trump announced that the US military "shot down" a boat out of Venezuela that was carrying drugs. Rubio posted this right around the time of the announcement... https://t.co/DyOCWAr4CB
— Sara Cook (@saraecook) September 2, 2025
Rubio then followed that up with a post, saying: “...today the U.S. military conducted a lethal strike in the southern Caribbean against a drug vessel which had departed from Venezuela and was being operated by a designated narco-terrorist organization.”
As @potus just announced moments ago, today the U.S. military conducted a lethal strike in the southern Carribean against a drug vessel which had departed from Venezuela and was being operated by a designated narco-terrorist organization.
— Marco Rubio (@marcorubio) September 2, 2025
Trump says 'we're going in' when asked about sending troops to Chicago
Tuesday 2 September 2025 20:17
,
Oliver O'Connell
Asked if he's decided on sending the National Guard into Chicago, President Donald Trump tells reporters in the Oval Office: “We're going in. I didn't say when we're going in.”
He does not specify when, but then adds that he wants Democratic Governor JB Pritzker to call him.
Trump on sending troops to Chicago: "We're going in. I didn't say when we're going in." pic.twitter.com/OnHMELhxUN
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) September 2, 2025
Trump asked about video of someone throwing bag out of White House window
Tuesday 2 September 2025 20:28
,
Oliver O'Connell
Pete Doocy of Fox News asked President Donald Trump about the video circulating online of someone throwing a bag out of an upstairs window of the White House residence over the weekend.
Trump dismisses the video as A.I.-generated, pointing out that the windows in question are heavily armored and bulletproof, making them impossible to open.
However, earlier, the White House confirmed that the video was real.
A White House official told The Independent that the window was opened — and the bag tossed out — by “a contractor who was doing regular maintenance while the President was gone.”
Trump will ask Supreme Court for an expedited ruling on tariffs
Tuesday 2 September 2025 20:31
,
Oliver O'Connell
President Donald Trump says he’s going to the Supreme Court as soon as tomorrow with an emergency appeal following a ruling against his ability to impose tariffs on imports.
Trump says the US will be a third-world country without tariffs.
“If you took away tariffs, we could end up being a 'Third World' country,” Trump told reporters. “So we are asking for an expedited ruling.”
Here’s what you need to know:
Full story: Trump blames the ‘so fake’ media for health rumors
Tuesday 2 September 2025 20:37
,
Oliver O'Connell
President Donald Trump slammed the “so fake” news media over swirling speculation about his declining health — but still appeared to have a bruised hand during his first public appearance in a week.
Trump seemed to be in good spirits as he joked with his MAGA allies while announcing that the U.S. Space Command would be moved from Colorado to Alabama. It was his first appearance in a week, and came after his empty schedule over Labor Day weekend sparked mass speculation and frenzied online rumors about his health.
Isabel Keane reports.
Watch: Trump not concerned by Putin and Kim Jong-Un attending China military parad
Tuesday 2 September 2025 20:40
,
Oliver O'Connell
Reporter: China is having a military parade that Putin and Kim Jong-Un will be attending. Do you interpret that as a challenge?
— Acyn (@Acyn) September 2, 2025
Trump: No
Reporter: Are you concerned about those countries—
Trump: No. China needs us. And I had a very good meeting with President Putin a couple… pic.twitter.com/AabKShdqAz
Full story: Trump ends turf war and will move Space Command HQ to Alabama from Colorado
Tuesday 2 September 2025 20:50
,
Oliver O'Connell
President Trump is authorizing the U.S. Space Command headquarters to relocate from Colorado to Alabama, bringing an end to years of political bickering over the hub's fate for the military’s space-related operations. This move effectively punishes the Centennial State for electing Democrats and rewards Alabama for supporting him and his party.
Andrew Feinberg and Josh Marcus report.
Posters showing Pete Hegseth and Stephen Miller being hit in head with hoagies appear in DC
Tuesday 2 September 2025 21:08
,
Oliver O'Connell
New posters depicting the so-called “sandwich guy” hitting Trump administration officials in the head with hoagies have cropped up in Washington, D.C., the latest symbol of protest against the president’s crime crackdown in the nation’s capital.
Kelly Rissman explains what’s going on.
Colorado congressional delegation pushes back on Trump Space Command announcement
Tuesday 2 September 2025 21:19
,
Oliver O'Connell
In a statement, the entirety of the Colorado congressional delegation — including both Republican and Democratic members — vowed to challenge the move, which they said would “directly harm our state and the nation.”
“We are united in fighting to reverse this decision. Bottom line — moving Space Command headquarters weakens our national security at the worst possible time,” they said.
“The Trump administration should not play political games with our nation’s military readiness and military families,” Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser told KKTV.
DC grand jury again declines to bring charges amid Trump takeover — another defeat for Jeanine Pirro
Tuesday 2 September 2025 21:26
,
Oliver O'Connell
For the third time in recent weeks, a federal grand jury in Washington, D.C., has rejected the Attorney’s Office’s attempt to criminally indict a person accused of making threats against an official – the latest sign of pushback from residents in the city overtaken by federal law enforcement.
Ariana Baio has the story.
DC mayor welcomes federal law enforcement to stay indefinitely
Tuesday 2 September 2025 21:38
,
Oliver O'Connell
Washington D.C. Mayor Muriel E. Bowser has welcomed federal law enforcement officials to remain in the capital indefinitely, signalling a significant willingness to cooperate with President Donald Trump’s efforts to take over public safety.
In a social media statement, Mayor Bowser said her order would “provide the pathway forward beyond the Presidential emergency.” She has previously stated that due to the federal government’s power over the District, she can achieve more by working with him on “their shared priorities.”
Today, I issued Mayor's Order 2025-090 to provide the pathway forward beyond the Presidential emergency.
— Mayor Muriel Bowser (@MayorBowser) September 2, 2025
Full text: pic.twitter.com/eWWTJMverj
The Washington Post reports that the announcement on Tuesday afternoon was reportedly met with approval by Trump, giving the green light to elements of his administration’s operations in D.C., according to a senior White House official.
Last month, the president federalized the local police department, deployed National Guard members to the streets, and sent U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials to address immigration concerns.
There has been considerable pushback from residents of the district.
‘Largest union busting in American history’: Trump orders end protections for 450,000 federal workers
Tuesday 2 September 2025 21:44
,
Oliver O'Connell
Donald Trump promised his presidency would usher in a “golden age” for American workers, but his administration has gutted union protections for tens of thousands of federal workers in what labor activists and historians have called the largest acts of union busting in American history.
Nearly half a million federal workers lost their union protections last month in the wake of the president’s executive orders demanding federal agencies abandon collective bargaining agreements and appeals court orders upholding those decisions.
Alex Woodward reports.
Full story: Trump contradicts staff with explanation of item being thrown from White House window
Tuesday 2 September 2025 22:02
,
Oliver O'Connell
A video that captured a mysterious object being thrown out of a White House window went viral, sparking wild conspiracy theories online before competing explanations were offered by an administration official - and the president himself.
Kelly Rissman has the bizarre story.
Republican House members express support for Trump’s actions in Washington
Tuesday 2 September 2025 22:20
,
Oliver O'Connell
Republican House members convened outside the US Capitol on their return from recess, expressing robust support for Donald Trump's initiatives to tackle crime in Washington, D.C.
Lawmakers from states including North Dakota and South Carolina reiterated concerns about capital crime, crediting Trump. Representative Buddy Carter, a Georgia Republican campaigning for a Senate seat, stated: “We are here today to talk about something Donald Trump promised during the campaign. He promised to make our nation safer and more prosperous.”
He then introduced 'Make Our Streets Safe Again' legislation.
Wyoming's Representative Harriet Hageman added, “President Trump’s unyielding leadership and strength, coupled with proper congressional oversight, ensure that Washington, D.C., will reclaim its rightful place.”
The news conference was interrupted by two protesters, who Capitol Police apprehended. As the lawmakers concluded, dozens of demonstrators chanted “shame.”
National Guard deployed to DC to fight crime has picked up 500 bags of trash
Tuesday 2 September 2025 22:40
,
Oliver O'Connell
National Guard troops were deployed to Washington, D.C. to fight crime, but they have also participated in President Donald Trump’s beautification efforts, collecting 500 bags of trash along a 3.2-mile stretch.
When Trump announced last month he had placed D.C. police under direct federal control and deployed the National Guard to the city, he said he did it to “rescue our nation’s capital from crime, bloodshed, bedlam, and squalor, and worse.”
Now, soldiers are rescuing D.C. from litter, as Rachel Dobkin reports.
Jeanine Pirro’s DC office boasts about touring the Supreme Court — with pictures of the Capitol
Tuesday 2 September 2025 23:00
,
Oliver O'Connell
Despite being based in Washington, D.C., staffers in U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro’s office appeared to confuse prominent government buildings on Tuesday when they boasted about touring the Supreme Court in photos taken at the Capitol building.
In a now-deleted X post, the U.S. Attorney’s Office in D.C. flaunted that Pirro, a former judge and Fox News host, organized “a tour of the Supreme Court” for the office’s fall 2025 intern class.
Ariana Baio has the story.
Trump deploys military to immigration courts to speed up mass deportations
Tuesday 2 September 2025 23:30
,
Oliver O'Connell
After firing or forcing out dozens of immigration court judges, the Trump administration is planning to fill the benches with military lawyers under the command of the Department of Justice.
Last week, the Justice Department’s Executive Office for Immigration Review gave itself permission to hire “any attorney” to serve as temporary immigration judges, even if they don’t have any experience in that area of the law.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has now approved sending up to 600 military lawyers to the Justice Department to fill the bench in immigration courts across the country, according to a recent memo.
Alex Woodward reports.
Thousands of Epstein files released by the House Oversight Committee
Tuesday 2 September 2025 23:48
,
Rachel Dobkin
The House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform has released more than 30,000 pages of the so-called "Epstein files" that it received from the U.S. Department of Justice.
The files, revolving around child sex abuser and New York financier Jeffrey Epstein, were released to Congress in response to a subpoena from the committee's chairman, Representative James Comer, that was issued on August 5.
According to the committee, more documents may be coming from the Justice Department, noting that it has "indicated it will continue producing those records while ensuring the redaction of victim identities and any child sexual abuse material."
Full article from Graig Graziosi:
Rep. Thomas Massie says there's 'nothing new' in Epstein files release
Wednesday 3 September 2025 00:30
,
Rachel Dobkin
Representative Thomas Massie, a Kentucky Republican, has said there is “nothing new” in the documents related to the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein that the House Oversight Committee released on Tuesday.
"My staff has done a quick look at it, and it looks like a bunch of redacted documents and nothing new, so it's not going to suffice,” he told Axios.
Massie filed a discharge petition Tuesday, which could force a vote on releasing the so-called Epstein files. But 218 signatures from House members are needed for it to be successful.
Democrat bashes release of the Epstein files: 'Don't let this fool you'
Wednesday 3 September 2025 01:00
,
Rachel Dobkin
Representative Robert Garcia, a California Democrat, bashed the release of documents related to the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, warning Americans, “Don’t let this fool you.”
The House Oversight Committee released over 33,000 documents on Tuesday after subpoenaing the Justice Department for them.
But Garcia, the ranking member of the Oversight Committee, says most of the documents have already been made available to the public. Here is his full statement:
The 33,000 pages of Epstein documents [Oversight Committee Chairman] James Comer has decided to ‘release’ were already mostly public information. To the American people – don’t let this fool you.
After careful review, Oversight Democrats have found that 97% of the documents received from the Department of Justice were already public. There is no mention of any client list or anything that improves transparency or justice for victims.
House Republicans are trying to make a spectacle of releasing already-public documents. [Attorney General] Pam Bondi has said the client list was on her desk. She could release it right now if she wanted to.
While Comer tries to give cover to Trump by re-releasing public documents, House Democrats are fighting for real transparency. Pam Bondi must comply with our subpoena immediately, and release all of the documents. The American people demand it.
In a July memo, the Justice Department and FBI said there was never any Epstein client list of powerful people who may have participated in his crimes.
The memo also stated “no further disclosure [of information regarding Epstein] would be appropriate or warranted.”
MTG says she's 'proud' to sign discharge petition to release Epstein files
Wednesday 3 September 2025 01:30
,
Rachel Dobkin
Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene, a Georgia Republican, said she was “proud” to be signing a discharge petition to force the release of documents related to the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
Congressman Thomas Massie, a Kentucky Republican, filed the petition Tuesday. Besides his signature, he will need 217 signatures from his colleagues for it to be successful.
It’s filed. Your congressman can now sign the discharge petition to force a vote on binding legislation to release the Epstein files. pic.twitter.com/dXVgrAzS0Y
— Thomas Massie (@RepThomasMassie) September 2, 2025
“I’m committed to doing everything possible for the victims of Jeffrey Epstein,” Greene wrote on X later Tuesday. “Including exposing the cabal of rich and powerful elites that enabled this. I’m proud to be signing @RepThomasMassie‘s discharge petition.”
I’m committed to doing everything possible for the victims of Jeffrey Epstein.
— Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (@RepMTG) September 2, 2025
Including exposing the cabal of rich and powerful elites that enabled this.
I’m proud to be signing @RepThomasMassie‘s discharge petition. pic.twitter.com/ODd026a45E
Republicans push to rename Defense Department after Trump complained about it
Wednesday 3 September 2025 02:00
,
Rachel Dobkin
Republicans in the House and Senate have introduced legislation to rename the Defense Department after President Donald Trump complained about it.
Trump recently called for the Defense Department to revert to its old name, the Department of War, saying, “It had a stronger sound.”
Senator Mike Lee of Utah and Greg Steube of Florida introduced versions of a bill to bring back the Department of War title, the Associated Press reported Tuesday.
“It should always be clear to anyone who would harm our people: Americans don’t just play defense,” Steube said.
What you need to know from today...
Wednesday 3 September 2025 02:13
,
Oliver O'Connell
- The House Oversight Committee released tens of thousands of documents related to the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, but Democrats say most of those files have already been made available to the public.
- Donald Trump made his first official public appearance in a week, addressing online speculation about his health and blaming the media for 'fake' reports.
- He announced the relocation of the U.S. Space Command headquarters from Colorado to Huntsville, Alabama, a decision that has drawn strong opposition from Colorado's congressional delegation.
- Trump also stated that the U.S. had attacked a drug boat originating from Venezuela and confirmed plans to send federal troops to Chicago and Baltimore to combat crime.
- He dismissed footage of a bag being thrown from a White House window as AI-generated, despite an earlier explanation from his staff that it was a contractor disposing of an item.
- The Space Command relocation is viewed by critics as a politically motivated move, potentially punishing Colorado for increasingly voting for Democrats and rewarding strongly Republican Alabama.
Governor Pritzker pushes back on Trump's plans to send National Guard to Chicago
Wednesday 3 September 2025 02:30
,
Rachel Dobkin
Illinois Governor JB Pritzker has pushed back on President Donald Trump’s plans to send the National Guard to Chicago.
Trump’s federal takeover of Washington, D.C., is in full swing, and he has recently been threatening to crack down on crime in other major cities.
On Tuesday, he said he would send federal troops to Chicago and Baltimore.
“There is no emergency that warrants deployment of troops,” Pritzker said in response at a press conference, per The New York Times.
The governor continued: “He is insulting the people of Chicago by calling our home a hellhole, and anyone who takes his word at face value is insulting Chicagoans. too.”
Trump calls rumors that he's dead 'fake news'
Wednesday 3 September 2025 03:00
,
Rachel Dobkin
Donald Trump called rumors that he died “fake news,” squashing conspiracies about the president’s health after he didn’t make any public appearances over the Labor Day weekend, aside from a brief sighting at his Virginia golf course Saturday.
America is split on whether Trump’s health and age are impacting his ability to serve as president
Wednesday 3 September 2025 03:30
,
Rachel Dobkin
America is split on whether Donald Trump’s health and age are impacting his ability to serve as president, a new poll has found.
Speculation over Trump’s physical fitness during his second term has grown ever since photos of his swollen ankles and bruised hands, which are sometimes covered by makeup, began circulating online.
Online rumors reached a fever pitch when Trump, 79, did not make a public appearance over the Labor Day weekend, aside from a brief sighting at his Virginia golf course Saturday.
In a YouGov survey conducted Tuesday, 38 percent of Americans said Trump’s health and age “severely limit his ability to do the job” as president, while 21 percent said it had “little effect.”
Read more...
Trump's deployment of troops to LA was illegal, says federal judge
Wednesday 3 September 2025 04:00
,
Oliver O'Connell
Donald Trump and administration officials violated the law by deploying the National Guard to Los Angeles in response to protests against his anti-immigration agenda, a federal judge in California ruled.
The president’s troop deployment violated the Posse Comitatus Act of 1878, which prohibits “the use of the U.S. military to execute domestic law,” according to Tuesday’s decision from District Judge Charles Breyer.
Alex Woodward reports.
Virginia Giuffre relative says Trump administration has a 'duty' to release the Epstein files
Wednesday 3 September 2025 04:30
,
Rachel Dobkin
A relative of Virginia Giuffre, one of the women who accused Jeffrey Epstein of sexual abuse, said the Trump administration has a “duty” to release the documents related to the late convicted sex offender.
Amanda Roberts, the sister-in-law of Giuffre, who died by suicide last April, told NBC News in an interview that aired Tuesday, the so-called Epstein files are “so big right now because this administration ran their campaign on this. These were promises that they made.”
“It's your duty to do what your constituents, what the American public is asking you