U.S. Representative-elect Adelita Grijalva (D-AZ) speaks during a press conference at Gateway Park in Yuma, Arizona, U.S., October 27, 2025. REUTERS/Rebecca Noble

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -Democratic U.S. Representative Adelita Grijalva in her first day in office on Wednesday signed the discharge petition to start the process for a vote on directing the Justice Department to release files related to deceased convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

It remained possible that one of the Republicans who had signed the petition -- opposed by the White House -- could remove their name from it.

(Reporting by Bo Erickson; Editing by Scott Malone)