Just days before Congress reconvenes in Washington D.C. after a fractious summer recess for Republicans, out Rep. Robert Garcia (D-CA) is leading the charge on an unlikely and winning issue for Democrats: the infamous Epstein files that is, unreleased government documents on now-deceased millionaire child sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein.[Rep. James Comer (R-KY)] and Republican leadership understand that we are picking off Republicans to join Democrats in assuring that we get as much disclosure and transparency as possible, Garcia said Monday, referring to Comer, who is chair of the House Oversight Committee, where Garcia serves as a ranking member. Related Marjorie Taylor Greene celebrates child sex traffickers testimony: Trump has been vindicated! We are going to raise hell, Garcia added.Garcia and the Democrats have used the fury from Trumps MAGA base over the Epstein case to their advantage. The strategy is already paying dividends: Republican congressional leaders have relented in a series of demands by the unlikely alliance of Democrats and conspiracy-addled followers of the presidents base who are obsessed with the Epstein sex-trafficking case. Dive deeper every day Join our newsletter for thought-provoking commentary that goes beyond the surface of LGBTQ+ issues Subscribe to our Newsletter today On this issue, the Dems are finally on offense.Following Attorney General Pam Bondis declaration in July that the Department of Justices (DOJ) review of the case didnt turn up a much-anticipated client list and Trumps own advice to supporters to get over it Democrats played an instrumental role in getting the files released to the Oversight Committee.Despite Comers assurance that Were going to be transparent. Were doing what we said we would do. Were getting the documents, the first batch of Epstein-related documents, released by the Trumps DOJ on Friday, was wholly inadequate, Garcia said, as he ratcheted up the pressure on his Republican colleagues.What we got was complete bulls**t, Garcia told Meidas Touch the following day. We demanded the full Epstein files, and thats not what was sent over. The White House cover-up clearly continues. What they sent us was 33,000 pages of documents that have already been in the public domain.Handpicked, partial productions are wholly insufficient and potentially misleading, Garcia added in a statement. Garcia: What we got was complete bullshit. We demanded the full Epstein files, and thats not what was sent over. The White House cover-up clearly continues. What they sent us was 33,000 pages of documents that have already been in the public domain. Acyn (@acyn.bsky.social) 2025-08-23T22:09:20.386ZGarcia also hit administration officials in their effort to recruit convicted Epstein accomplice Ghislaine Maxwell to whitewash Trumps well-documented and close friendship with the sex-trafficker. Deputy DOJ attorney general and Trumps personal attorney, Todd Blanche, interviewed Maxwell for just that purpose before moving her to a minimum-security prison earlier this month.They are now trying to claim somehow that Ghislaine Maxwell was claiming that President Trump wasnt involved? Give me a break. Shes a sex trafficker and known liar. She should not be trusted. Once again, Donald Trump, Pam Bondi, [Republican House Speaker] Mike Johnson, theyre all involved in a massive cover-up, Garcia said Tuesday, borrowing rhetoric straight from Trumps own base.Earlier this month, Oversight Chair Comer issued 11 subpoenas seeking the DOJ files, as well as testimony from Democratic targets, including former President Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, and former FBI Directors James Comey and Robert Mueller, as well as former Attorneys General Merrick Garland and Bill Barr.Not on the list: Donald Trump.After Garcias raise hell warning, Comer relented on other subpoenas contrary to Trumps wishes. Among them, one for the birthday book reportedly containing best wishes and a drawing by Trump for Epstein. That evidence is in possession of the Epstein estate; Trump denies its existence.The committee has also relented to subpoena Alex Acosta, Trumps former Labor Secretary and the U.S. Attorney in Miami who brokered Epsteins plea agreement, which largely let Epstein off the hook for an earlier indictment on sex-trafficking charges. The release of grand jury testimony from both Epsteins New York and Florida indictments have been denied by the judges in those cases.I think what James Comer and the Republicans finally know is that Democrats on the Oversight Committee are not messing around, Garcia told MSNBC on Tuesday. Were gonna force votes, just like we forced the Epstein files to get released. Were gonna force them to take votes they dont wanna take, and we are not going to stop until we get justice for all the victims.Garcia will meet with some of those victims next Tuesday, when his Democratic colleague and fellow Oversight member Rep. Ro Khanna (D-CA), and Comers fellow Kentucky colleague Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY), host a news conference with Epstein victims on Congresss first day back in session.Its a move straight out of Trumps own playbook.Subscribe to theLGBTQ Nation newsletterand be the first to know about the latest headlines shaping LGBTQ+ communities worldwide.