Former Vice President Kamala Harris accused President Donald Trump of ‘gaslighting’ the American people during a Wednesday podcast appearance, criticizing his refusal to release the Epstein files unilaterally. Harris, appearing with The Bulwark, accused Trump of using congressional approval as a pretext to delay transparency, arguing that as the head of the executive branch, Trump should act independently. ‘All of a sudden he’s saying he’ll wait to see what Congress does. Since when?’ Harris demanded, urging Trump to ‘release the files’ immediately.
Her comments came just hours before Trump announced that he had signed legislation authorizing the release of the Epstein files. In a lengthy message on his Truth Social platform, Trump claimed he had directed the Department of Justice to release nearly 50,000 pages of documents to Congress and that the Biden administration had failed to address the issue. ‘I HAVE JUST SIGNED THE BILL TO RELEASE THE EPSTEIN FILES!’ Trump proclaimed, citing bipartisan support for the Epstein Files Transparency Act.
The Act, passed by Congress, requires the Justice Department to release all unclassified records related to Epstein and Ghislane Maxwell, as well as details on individuals referenced in his legal cases. Files containing victims’ names, child sex abuse materials, or classified information may be withheld or redacted. Attorney General Pam Bondi confirmed that the DOJ would comply with the law, releasing the files online in a searchable format within 30 days.
Harris’ accusation of ‘gaslighting’ highlights the ongoing political tension over the Epstein files, with her calling for immediate executive action, while Trump framed the release as a legislative achievement. The debate underscores broader concerns about executive power and transparency in government operations.