WASHINGTON – Women who say they were sexually abused by the late, disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein spoke out in an emotional press conference where they called for the full release of the criminal investigative files in the case.

The demands pose a challenge for President Donald Trump and Republican congressional leaders who for years demanded more information about Epstein, a former friend of the president, but now say full disclosure could hurt Epstein's victims.

Trump called the Epstein furor a Democratic "hoax" on Sept. 3.

But several survivors of Epstein's abuse said they supported an effort by Reps. Thomas Massie, R-Kentucky, and Ro Khanna, D-California to force a House vote.

House Speaker Mike Johnson , R-Louisiana, said a vote to force the Justice Department to release

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