Trump changes stance on Epstein files. And, the U.S. increases pressure on Venezuela

"President Trump abruptly changed his stance on the Jeffrey Epstein files last night, saying he now supports a vote to release information about the convicted sex offender. The Epstein bill has a good chance of advancing in the House with Trump giving Republicans permission to support it, NPR's Luke Garrett tells Up First. It is unclear when the bill could be brought up for a vote in the Senate, but even if it passes through Congress and the White House, some lawmakers say the files might be kept from the public."

"The debate over releasing the files has opened a surprising rift between Trump and Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, once among his closest allies in Congress. On Friday, the president revoked his endorsement and labeled her "wacky." During an interview on CNN's State of the Union, Greene said his rhetoric could "radicalize people against me and put my life in danger." The U.S.'s most advanced aircraft carrier, the USS Gerald R. Ford, arrived in the Caribbean Sea yesterday, joining nearly a dozen other naval warships there."

President Trump reversed his previous opposition and now supports a vote to release files related to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The House is expected to vote on the bill tomorrow, and Republican backing has increased with the president's change of stance. The bill's path in the Senate remains unclear, and some lawmakers warn files could still be withheld from the public. The debate produced a rift between Trump and Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, who said his rhetoric could endanger her. The USS Gerald R. Ford deployed to the Caribbean amid reports of U.S. actions against small boats from Venezuela and plans to designate the Cartel de los Soles.

Read at www.npr.org