Rep. Robert Garcia Tells Aaron Parnas There's a "Huge Cover-Up” of Epstein Files, Asks What Trump is "Hiding"

California Congressman Robert Garcia—a prominent queer lawmaker and the Democratic leader on the House Oversight Committee—has publicly voiced concerns about a “huge cover-up” in the handling of Jeffrey Epstein-related files, following his direct communication with legal analyst Aaron Parnas. According to Garcia, the Justice Department’s recent submission of more than 33,000 pages of Epstein materials to Congress contained only a minuscule amount of new, previously undisclosed information—approximately 3 percent—while the vast majority had already been made available in earlier public releases from various law enforcement agencies .

In an interview with Parnas, Rep. Garcia said he knew "for a fact" that GOP congresspeople were receiving phone calls from the White House demanding that they decline to sign a discharge petition mandating the release of all files pertaining to Epstein. “What is Donald Trump hiding?” Garcia asked.

Garcia’s warning, delivered during a conversation with Parnas, underscores mounting frustration among lawmakers and advocates who have long demanded the full truth about Epstein’s network of abuse and the individuals implicated within it. The congressman’s remarks have quickly gained traction across social media and independent news networks, sparking renewed scrutiny of the government’s handling of the case .

In the wake of the file release, Garcia has charged that powerful interests—including, reportedly, pressure from the White House—are working to suppress critical details, particularly those that might implicate high-profile figures . According to The Advocate, Garcia accused Congressional Republicans of yielding to demands to withhold sensitive Epstein-related information from the public, raising bipartisan concerns about transparency and accountability in cases involving sexual exploitation.

The controversy intensified after Representative Anna Paulina Luna posted a widely shared tweet claiming that “all” Epstein files had been uploaded by the House Oversight Committee—a statement that was quickly challenged by fact-checkers and community notes highlighting its inaccuracy . The discrepancy between official claims and the reality of the document dump has only deepened skepticism within and beyond Congress.

Queer advocates and organizations have closely monitored the Epstein investigation, given the historical targeting of vulnerable youth—including queer young people—by trafficking networks and individuals in positions of power. Garcia’s leadership as an openly gay member of Congress has been especially significant for queer communities, who have often been marginalized or overlooked in broader discussions of sexual violence.

The clash over the Epstein files has reignited debates over governmental transparency, the rights of survivors, and the responsibility of public officials to confront systemic abuse. Garcia has pledged to continue pressing for the full release of all documents, vowing not to let “powerful interests” dictate what the American people are allowed to know . He has called for bipartisan cooperation in pursuing justice and safeguarding the integrity of Congressional investigations.

Meanwhile, queer leaders and allies are mobilizing to demand accountability—not just for the crimes of Epstein and his associates but also for the institutional failures that allowed such abuse to persist. Calls for independent oversight, survivor-centered reforms, and comprehensive education about sexual exploitation continue to grow, with many emphasizing that justice cannot be selective or incomplete.