Boebert Won't Back Down on Epstein Files After Trump Call
U.S. Congresswoman Lauren Boebert speaking with attendees at the 2024 AmericaFest at the Phoenix Convention Center in Phoenix, Arizona. Photo courtesy of Gage Skidmore under CC BY-SA 2.0.
Representative Lauren Boebert (R-Colo.) found herself at the center of a political storm when she reportedly appeared to resist pressure from President Donald Trump to withdraw her support from a discharge petition aimed at forcing the release of documents related to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The petition, which had just reached the critical threshold of 218 signatures, would compel a full House vote on the so-called Epstein files, a move that has fractured GOP unity and raised questions about Trump's influence over sitting members of Congress.
A High-Profile Defiance
Boebert's stand came after a reported phone call from Trump, who allegedly urged her to remove her name from the petition. Despite the call, Boebert not only kept her signature but also attended a White House meeting with Attorney General Pam Bondi and FBI Director Kash Patel to discuss the matter. The meeting took place in the White House Situation Room, an unusual venue for such a discussion, which Boebert later defended by saying it was simply "an easy SCIF to get to" and that she must be "pretty high profile" to warrant the location, as reported by The Independent.
Following the meeting, Boebert told reporters she felt "no pressure" from the White House to remove her name. "President Trump is an amazing man. I stand by him," she said, as reported by the New York Post, insisting she did not feel marginalized despite her break with party leadership on this issue. She expressed gratitude for the meeting on social media, emphasizing a shared commitment to transparency for the American people.
The Social Media Contradiction
Despite Boebert's public denials of pressure, her social media activity suggested a more complicated picture. She shared a video from a Denver NBC affiliate reporter praising her as "brave" for standing firm against the president's apparent efforts to "bury the Epstein files," according to The Daily Beast. The reporter noted that Boebert defied the wishes of her party and the president, highlighting her as a figure of accountability and transparency.
The post reportedly included an emoji of wide-open eyes, a subtle but pointed signal that Boebert's decision was not without its tensions. This juxtaposition between her verbal assurances and the timing of Trump's call, the White House meeting, and her social media post raises questions about the extent of Trump's sway over individual lawmakers and the pressures they face.
A Fractured GOP
Boebert was one of only four House Republicans who joined Democrats in signing the discharge petition, alongside Representatives Nancy Mace (R-S.C.), Thomas Massie (R-Ky.), and Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.). The petition's goal is to override party leadership and force a vote on releasing the Department of Justice's investigative files on Epstein, a move that President Trump and House Speaker Mike Johnson have actively tried to block.
The petition reached the required 218 signatures when newly sworn-in Democratic Representative Adelita Grijalva of Arizona added her name, setting the stage for a House vote expected to take place soon.
House Speaker Mike Johnson has called the petition "reckless" and "moot," arguing that it would not adequately protect the identities of sexual abuse victims and that ongoing investigations are already releasing relevant files, as reported by the New York Post. Johnson also criticized Democrats for not bringing up the issue during the previous administration and for objecting to unanimous consent to pass the petition earlier.
Personal Stakes and Public Statements
Nancy Mace described her decision as deeply personal, citing her experience as a survivor of sexual and domestic violence. She framed the petition as a fight for justice for survivors, writing that the vote would be for those who "never had a fighting chance," as reported by the New York Post.
Boebert, who has faced her own family challenges, including a recent citation against her son for criminal negligence involving her grandson, has maintained a public image of resilience and independence.
The Trump Administration's Spin
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt framed the meeting with Boebert as a sign of transparency, emphasizing the administration's willingness to brief members of Congress and address their concerns. However, she reportedly declined to provide details about the conversations held in the Situation Room.
The administration's reported efforts to convince Boebert and others to withdraw their support for the petition highlight the ongoing battle over the Epstein files, a fight that has become a flashpoint for broader tensions within the Republican Party and between Trump and some of his own allies.
What's Next?
With the discharge petition now fully signed, the House is expected to hold a vote on the release of the Epstein files imminently. The outcome could have significant political repercussions, exposing fissures within the GOP and testing the limits of Trump's influence over his party.
Boebert's apparent defiance, whether fully independent or under subtle pressure, has made her a focal point in this high-stakes drama. Her actions have drawn cheers from those who see her as standing up for transparency and accountability, while also raising fears about the potential coercion of lawmakers by a former president.
As the vote approaches, all eyes will be on Boebert and her fellow Republicans who have bucked party lines, revealing a party grappling with internal divisions and the legacy of Trump's enduring power.
References: Lauren Boebert Raises Eyebrows With Post After Donald Trump Pressure On Jeffrey Epstein Petition | Reps. Lauren Boebert and Nancy Mace balk at Trump's reported effort to get them to remove their names from Epstein petition | 'I guess I'm pretty high profile': Lauren Boebert defends Trump's 'weird' decision to hold Epstein crisis talks in Situation Room
