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House Speaker Mike Johnson is under fire from members of his own party for refusing to act on growing demands to force the release of documents related to the investigation into convicted sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein.
Despite mounting pressure from Republican lawmakers, activists, and online influencers, Johnson shut down legislative business early this week, sending Congress home for its traditional August recess.
At his final press conference before the break, Johnson, a Republican from Louisiana, defended the move, saying he wanted to give the White House and Justice Department “space” to release the Epstein files voluntarily.
“There’s no purpose for the Congress to push an administration to do something they’re already doing,” Johnson said, attempting to deflect criticism that he was shielding President Trump’s administration from further scrutiny.
The decision has only fueled Republican infighting, as many of Trump’s most loyal supporters demand urgent action and accuse Johnson of abandoning a cause that the base believes could define the political moment.
Fractures Within the GOP Emerge
Behind closed doors and on social media, Republican lawmakers voiced deep frustration over Johnson’s inaction. Rep. Ralph Norman (R-S.C.) was blunt: “The public’s not going to let this die, and rightfully so.”
That frustration boiled over when a subcommittee of the GOP-led House Oversight Committee advanced a resolution to subpoena Ghislaine Maxwell, Epstein’s longtime associate, for a formal deposition. But the effort stalled after Johnson lost control of the powerful House Rules Committee, which abruptly recessed rather than risk further conflict with Democrats calling for full transparency.
Planned votes on unrelated legislation — including a bill targeting illegal immigration and another on infrastructure permitting — were postponed as leadership scrambled to contain the political damage.
Trump Supporters Demand Action
The uproar among Republican ranks reflects wider tensions between Trump’s political base and his administration’s actions. Despite campaign trail promises to “expose everything” about Epstein’s network, Trump and Attorney General Pam Bondi have not delivered the broad disclosures many expected.
Earlier this month, the Justice Department and FBI said their exhaustive review of Epstein-linked evidence yielded no usable “client list” and no grounds to prosecute any additional individuals. But skepticism remains widespread among Trump supporters, many of whom suspect a cover-up.
Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) and Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) have led the charge against party leadership. Massie is working on a legislative maneuver to force a vote on a bipartisan bill that would require the DOJ to release more documents, regardless of leadership’s consent.
“They think the pressure will fade while we’re on vacation,” Massie told reporters. “But it’s not going away. This is a watershed moment for the speaker and the president.”
Democrats Seize the Moment
Democrats have seized on the GOP’s internal divisions, pressing for full transparency and accusing Republicans of protecting elites over victims. Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.), co-sponsoring the legislation with Massie, said, “Are you on the side of the rich and powerful, or are you on the side of young girls and America’s children?”
Khanna and other Democrats argue that the Epstein scandal is no longer a partisan issue but a test of the government’s integrity.
Epstein’s abuse spanned decades, targeting vulnerable girls as young as 14. Prosecutors argue he relied on Maxwell to recruit and groom victims. Maxwell was convicted in 2021 and is currently serving a 20-year sentence in Florida.
What’s Next?
Speaker Johnson insisted this week that he wants the Epstein files released — but only if the information is “credible” and won’t harm the victims. “We have a moral responsibility to expose the evil of Epstein and everybody who was involved,” he said. “But we also have an equal moral responsibility to protect the innocent.”
Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) echoed that sentiment, though he also left the door open for Senate committees to investigate.
Still, as the House begins its five-week recess, pressure is mounting from all sides. With more subpoenas, investigations, and potential primary challenges looming, the Epstein case remains a lightning rod — and a political minefield — for Republicans heading into the 2026 midterms.
