U.S. Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks, the Republican representing Iowa’s 1st congressional district, spoke to the Westside Conservative Club at the Iowa Machine Shed in Urbandale Oct. 9, 2024. (Photo by Robin Opsahl/Iowa Capital Dispatch)
Democrats are calling for Iowa’s all-Republican House delegation to support efforts to compel the release of information related to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
The Democratic National Committee launched a digital ad campaign Wednesday calling for Iowans to contact U.S. Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks and “demand they release the files,” showcasing photos of Epstein and President Donald Trump together as well as of a suggestive birthday card allegedly signed by Trump that was released by Democrats on the U.S. House Oversight Committee on X Monday.
Releasing the “Epstein files” has been a point of contention in Congress for some time. Before the U.S. House recessed in July, there was a bipartisan attempt to compel the U.S. Department of Justice to release government investigative documents on Epstein, who died in his New York City jail cell in 2019 while awaiting federal sex trafficking charges. House Republican leaders successfully stopped attempts to force the House to vote on this effort.
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Though there are some Republicans calling for the release of the “Epstein files,” much of the push has come from Democrats, especially following news that Attorney General Pam Bondi told Trump his name appeared multiple times in government documents related to Epstein as well as the publishing of purported birthday letters from Trump to Epstein.
The members of Iowa’s all-Republican House delegation said in July they support publicizing more information related to the Florida financier, but that they backed the Trump administration and DOJ approach to releasing information, saying Democrats were using the issue for political gain.
The DNC ad campaign is specifically targeting Miller-Meeks, who represents Iowa’s 1st Congressional District. The district, containing cities including Iowa City, Davenport and Burlington, is predicted by political forecasters to be one of the most contentious races in the 2026 midterm elections.
In a statement on the ad campaign, DNC Chair Ken Martin criticized Republicans in Congress for “covering” for Trump by not supporting efforts to release more information on Epstein.
“If House Republicans can’t even stand up for the victims and survivors of a notorious sexual predator, if they won’t even call out the president for a blatant government coverup, then how can their voters trust them?” Martin said.
Miller-Meeks said in July that she stands with Trump “in his efforts to ensure transparency into Jeffrey Epstein’s heinous crimes while protecting the victims who endured so much abuse.”
Iowa Sen. Zach Wahls, D-Coralville, also called for U.S. Rep. Ashley Hinson to vote in support of the discharge petition to release files related to Epstein. Wahls and Hinson are both running for the U.S. Senate in 2026 for the seat currently held by U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst, who announced earlier in September she will not seek reelection.
Wahls wrote that in light of the Democrat James Walkinshaw’s victory in the Virginia U.S. House special election who has signed or pledged to sign the discharge petition on the Epstein files” only one more representative’s support is needed to force a vote on issue. Wahls called on Hinson to join the four other House Republicans currently supporting the effort.
“Congresswoman Ashley Hinson is single-handedly blocking the release of the Epstein files,” Wahls said in a statement. “Instead of standing with survivors and the American people, she’s actively participating in a cover-up with Donald Trump and the rest of the D.C. swamp. Iowans deserve a Senator who will fight for transparency and accountability—not one who protects the powerful and hides the truth.”
Hinson has previously said she trusts Trump, Bondi and FBI Director Kash Patel will “do the right thing” while pursuing justice and investigating Epstein.
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