Republicans publish the Epstein report and rule out Donald Trump’s involvement; Democrats challenge the conclusions and announce new hearings

Republicans on the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform published the final report on Tuesday in the United States, following a 15-month investigation into the Jeffrey Epstein case and the way authorities handled the criminal investigations. The 136-page document states that President Donald Trump was not involved in Epstein’s sex-trafficking network.

However, the report criticizes U.S. institutions, saying they repeatedly failed to stop the abuse and protect victims. Republicans recommend improving victims’ access to their own case files, reinterviewing key witnesses, and adopting stricter rules on conflicts of interest in criminal investigations. The Justice Department’s procedures for releasing documents from the Epstein case files are also under scrutiny.

The investigation included discussions with people who had business, financial, or social ties to Epstein, including Bill and Hillary Clinton, Bill Gates, Leon Black, and Les Wexner. Their participation in hearings does not, in itself, constitute evidence of involvement in crimes.

Democrats dispute the conclusions, accuse Republicans of failing to hold public hearings under oath, and announce that the investigation will continue, including through new hearings involving victims and influential figures. Donald Trump has consistently denied any illegal conduct related to Epstein. Ghislaine Maxwell, considered his accomplice, is serving a 20-year prison sentence.