New York Times: Trump "could have ordered the release of the files without an act of Congress, and has not"

[Anxy]

Did you know Trump doesn't need Congress to vote for the release of the Epstein files?
Trump could order his Attorney General to release them. He' doesn't want them out there.

"It’s not clear that doing so would have any concrete impact; Mr. Trump could have ordered the release of the files without an act of Congress, and has not. And it remains to be seen whether his Justice Department will ultimately release the files."

https://www.nytimes.com/2025/11/17/us/politics/trump-epstein-republicans-vote.html

[liberalgunwilltravel]

1. The inJustice Department

Will say they can't release the files because of an ongoing investigation (that Trump ordered). This is all for show for his poorly educated base. And they will swallow.

[ChicagoTeamster]

2. He probably already blackmailed people with it and now if he releases files they'll come forward about his blackmail

[duckworth969]

3. Giving House Repugs cover for mid-term elections

Chumpkin willing to take a hit in order to keep House of Representatives out of Dem control.

Again, he’s doing what he has to do to save his own skin.

[Prairie Gates]

4. Whether the President is authorized to "order the release" of DOJ files is questionable

Of course, in Trump and the Corrupt 6's maximalist understanding of Presidential power he is, but that goes against 70 years of norms.

[republianmushroom]

5. Yup, could have, but, didn't.