Rep. Lauren Boebert (R-CO) is reportedly "convinced" that there is a conspiracy to cover up files on sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
The lawmaker is one of a handful of Republicans supporting a discharge petition that would force a vote on releasing files related to Epstein.
On Wednesday, House Democrats released a trove of emails in which Epstein claimed Trump "knew about the girls" who had been abused by the pedophile. The White House declined to deny reports that Trump spent "hours" with at least one of the victims at Epstein's home.
Trump has not been formally accused of any crimes.
"Trump himself called Boebert, regarding her signing onto the Epstein petition and spoke to her yesterday, I am told," New York Times correspondent Annie Karni reported on Wednesday.
By Wednesday afternoon, Boebert had been called to the White House to meet with Attorney General Pam Bondi, Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche, and FBI Director Kash Patel about the release of the files.
Boebert later told CNN's Manu Raju that she would not remove her name from the House petition despite pressure from the president and his team.
"My understanding is that the relentless pressure campaign that has included carrot, stick, good cop, bad cop, has made her even more dug in, suspicious and convinced there's a conspiracy at play," Karni explained after the meeting.
