There’s nothing quite like a good old house return from recess to get the political heart pumping. This week, Congress reopened, and another chapter of the Jeffrey Epstein saga took center stage. Over 33,000 pages of documents were released to the House Oversight Committee, but don’t let that number fool you. Many of these pages were already public or heavily redacted, leaving survivors, some Republicans, and everyday Americans feeling shortchanged.

What’s remarkable, and frankly, deeply troubling, is how President Trump has responded. On Truth Social, he labeled all calls for further release of Epstein-related files “a Democratic hoax.” His administration’s pushback isn’t limited to Democrats; even some MAGA-aligned Republicans are pushing back. Reps. Thomas Massie and Ro Khanna are leading a bipartisan effort via a discharge petition to force full disclosure.

As an independent Christian conservative, I hold to values of honesty, decency, and accountability, especially when the vulnerable have been harmed. Watching survivors step into the Capitol to plead, not for political points, but simply for truth and healing, it takes the breath right out of you. One of them, Haley Robson, reminded us: “I am a registered Republican, not that that matters, because this is not political. However … I cordially invite you [Mr. President] to meet me in person … so you can understand this is not a hoax. We are real human beings. This is real trauma.” That’s not political theater; that’s sorrow turned into courageous plea.

Now, let’s circle back: why should any Christian, regardless of political stripe, care about document transparency? Because, truth be told, justice without truth is hollow. Our faith tells us that “the truth will set you free” (John 8:32). If survivors’ stories and feelings are being swept under layers of redaction and political defensiveness, that’s not freeing; it’s oppressive. And when politicians—especially those who pride themselves on integrity—choose secrecy over sunlight, it undermines the public’s trust in our leaders and institutions.

From a Christian standpoint, values like accountability don’t align with partisan spin or dismissing victims for political hegemony. God calls leaders—and believers—to seek justice, love mercy, walk humbly (Micah 6:8). Transparency here is not just “good politics”; it’s foundational to redemption and reconciliation.

Meanwhile, let’s be crystal clear: this isn’t Democrat vs. Republican in a cage fight. Reps. Massie, Khanna—and surprise—it’s also Marjorie Taylor Greene—are all pushing for the truth. That’s called cross-aisle conviction, rooted not in political gain, but moral clarity: that the powerful must not be allowed to snuff out truth, especially where abuse, exploitation, and survival are at stake.

President Trump’s ‘hoax’ label is nothing more than a distraction. It spins like a tumbleweed in a dust storm: loud, aimless, and unhelpful. Yes, the Justice Department has confirmed there’s no mysterious ‘client list.’ But survivors continue to insist that more truth remains hidden and more healing is needed. That tension—no official evidence, yet ongoing cries for answers—shows this isn’t about partisan politics. It’s about a broken system that can only be mended by transparency. And if we don’t let sunlight into these dark corners, who will?

As we walk forward from the dust of political posturing, here’s what I hope for and why I hope you’ll ask the same:

1. Let those documents be fully released (within reason, with privacy protection where needed). The promise of transparency matters more than any party line.
2. Listen to survivors, not skeptically, but compassionately. Their healing demands our collective moral attention and humility.
3. Remember: Christian conservatives are called both to defend truth and to love the persecuted. We must be louder in calling for disclosure than we are in political defenses.
4. Encourage elected officials, regardless of party, who show conviction over convenience.

In short, let’s call for Epstein-file transparency not as a political stunt, but as a moral imperative: for the sake of survivors, for truth, and for a nation that takes accountability seriously.

Because a nation built on freedom—and our faith—cannot rest while wounds go unobserved and voices go unheard.