House Republicans appeared largely unfazed by revelations that President Donald Trump’s name surfaced in the controversial Epstein files. Despite the potential implications, GOP members maintained a stance of business as usual, with assurances from Trump about forthcoming transparency.

“We were with him last night. He's fine. He's gonna release everything,” declared Rep. Ralph Norman (R-S.C.), who is advocating for a non-binding resolution urging the disclosure of documents linked to Jeffrey Epstein, the infamous financier and convicted sex offender known for his connections to various high-profile individuals.

Trump’s commitment to openness was reiterated by Norman, who mentioned, “if Trump’s name was in the files, it’ll come out.”

The call for transparency is partly led by Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.), who is pushing past leadership reluctance to mandate a vote on the release of the Epstein documents. Massie highlighted the sensitivity of the issue, noting, “There are probably lots of names in there who haven't done anything criminal, and so there's a reluctance to release these files because of the embarrassment just having your name in the news and these files.”

The Wall Street Journal reported that the Justice Department had informed Trump back in May about his inclusion among other notable figures in the Epstein documents. This disclosure has stirred controversy, disrupting the usual schedule of the House earlier this week when Democrats sought to expedite a vote through the Rules Committee. However, GOP leaders have deferred any decisions on Epstein-related matters until after the House's August recess, while the Trump administration has agreed to release grand jury information pertinent to the case.

Other Republicans echoed a sentiment of inevitability regarding Trump’s connection to Epstein. “We said that, and Trump knows it,” stated Rep. Tim Burchett (R-Tenn.). He further elaborated on Trump’s past interactions with Epstein, noting, “He’s in the plane files. President Trump rode with the guy. He banned him from Mar-a-Lago 15 years ago. He's said he was a dirtbag and he knows it.”

The situation remains a complex blend of political maneuvering and legal intricacies, as the nation watches closely how it unfolds, with significant public and political interest in the transparency of the Epstein files and the extent of Trump’s connections therein.

*Katherine Tully-McManus contributed to this report.*