Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) mentioned Friday that he thinks the Home will “probably” vote on “one measure or another” associated to releasing extra details about convicted intercourse offender Jeffrey Epstein after a battle over the case despatched the chamber into an early break final month.
Johnson mentioned he is not so certain that the transfer might be a precedence, although, as lawmakers have already begun to gather particulars from the Division of Justice (DOJ) and its conferences with Epstein co-conspirator Ghislaine Maxwell, who was convicted after the rich financier died by suicide in a federal jail whereas awaiting trial in 2019.
“We have our own resolutions to do all this, but it’s sort of not necessary at the point because the administration is already doing this — they’re turning it over,” the Speaker mentioned in an interview on CNN “News Central” Friday morning. “There probably will be a vote of some sense, but we’ve got to get everybody collected again and build consensus around that.”
Reps. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.) and Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) are planning to convey survivors of Epstein and Maxwell’s abuse to the Capitol subsequent week to construct assist for a bipartisan decision they’ve proposed that may pressure the Trump administration to launch all paperwork and supplies collectively known as the “Epstein files”
“It’s not even necessary,” Johnson mentioned. “The process is playing out as it should.”
“Very soon the American people will have that information, and they should have had it all along,” he added.
The Home abruptly broke for its August recess a day forward of schedule in July after the chamber reached a stalemate over makes an attempt to uncover extra details about the Epstein case.
Epstein hobnobbed in elite circles and was a longtime pal of President Trump earlier than a falling out that preceded Epstein’s 2008 responsible plea in a Florida prostitution case involving minors. Epstein’s crimes, social connections and demise have all sparked intense public curiosity within the case.
Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), the previous Speaker, was among the many critics who slammed the Home’s early break final month, calling Johnson’s resolution to go away early “shameful.”
“To block transparency in this manner is not only an abdication of duty — it is a profound insult to the victims who have carried the burden of this trauma for decades,” Pelosi wrote in a July 22 social media publish.
Johnson insisted Friday that he helps transparency and is dedicated to informing the general public concerning the Epstein case.
“We’re for maximum transparency,” he mentioned. “With the Epstein files, I’ve been saying this for years — we’ve been intellectually consistent from day one, and over this break, over the last couple weeks in August, the Department of Justice and the administration have been fully compliant with Congress’ subpoenas, and they’ve submitted over 34,000 Epstein documents already.”
Johnson, although, has overtly questioned whether or not Maxwell’s testimony holds any worth for lawmakers.
“Can she be counted on to tell the truth? Is she a credible witness?” he told reporters July 23 of the “apparent concern” he has when asked if he supports the effort to subpoena her. “I imply, it is a one who’s been sentenced to many, a few years in jail for horrible, unspeakable, conspiratorial acts, acts in opposition to harmless younger folks.”
