Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell were both indicted on federal sex trafficking charges stemming from Epstein's years of abuse of underage girls. (Joe Schildhorn/Patrick McMullan via Getty Images)
Democrats pointed to the message as evidence that Trump had previously had a more intimate relationship with the disgraced financier than he has been willing to admit.
"The more Donald Trump tries to cover up the Epstein files, the more we uncover. These latest emails and correspondence raise glaring questions about what else the White House is hiding and the nature of the relationship between Epstein and the president," Rep. Robert Garcia, D-Calif., said.
"The Department of Justice must fully release the Epstein files to the public immediately. The Oversight Committee will continue pushing for answers and will not stop until we get justice for the victims," he added.
Garcia is the ranking member on the House Oversight Committee.
This March 28, 2017, file photo, provided by the New York State Sex Offender Registry, shows Jeffrey Epstein. (New York State Sex Offender Registry via AP, File)
His death, which was ruled a suicide by the FBI, happened before prosecutors could bring his case to trial, leaving questions unanswered about his dealings. Among them, the public has demanded further transparency on whether he may have facilitated illicit sexual encounters for some of his contacts.
Trump and Republican leadership in Congress have opposed the discharge petition, citing concerns about the bill’s lack of protections for Epstein’s potential victims.
The House will resume session on Wednesday. If successful, the discharge petition will likely come before the House sometime in December.
Leo Briceno is a politics reporter for the congressional team at Fox News Digital. He was previously a reporter with World Magazine.
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/white-house-slams-dems-bad-faith-epstein-doc-release-demand-files-intensifies