WASHINGTON (Diya TV) — House Speaker Mike Johnson on Sunday slammed a bipartisan effort to force the release of more files related to Jeffrey Epstein, calling the proposal “reckless” and lacking proper safeguards for victims. The bill, backed by Reps. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., and Ro Khanna, D-Calif., seek to compel the Department of Justice and the FBI to release additional federal documents tied to Epstein, the convicted sex offender who died in jail in 2019.
Johnson argued that the measure could harm innocent people and expose victims of abuse. Speaking on NBC’s Meet the Press, Johnson said the bill would force federal agencies to release “information that was not even credible enough to be entered into court proceedings.” He emphasized the need to protect victims, many of whom were minors at the time of Epstein’s crimes.
“These are minors in many cases who were subjected to unspeakable crimes,” Johnson said. “They’ve already suffered great harm. We do not need their names to be unmasked.”
The speaker also claimed the legislation does not include “adequate protections” for victims and accused Democrats of using the issue for political gain.
“So what we did this week is end the chaos in the Rules Committee,” Johnson said. “The Democrats are trying to use this shamelessly for political purposes. They hijacked the Rules Committee and tried to turn it into an Epstein hearing.”
Massie and Khanna defended the bill during weekend interviews, arguing that Johnson’s concerns are unfounded. They said the bill specifically includes language to redact victims’ names and protect sensitive information.
“Ro and I carefully crafted this legislation so that the victims’ names will be redacted and that no child pornography will be released,” Massie told NBC News. He called Johnson’s argument a “straw man.”
The measure has exposed deep divisions within the Republican Party. Some lawmakers, especially those aligned with former President Donald Trump’s base, support the release of the files and demand transparency. Others in the party remain cautious, citing legal and privacy concerns.
The controversy has gained momentum among Trump’s core supporters, many of whom believe the Epstein case involves a wider web of high-profile individuals. The push to unseal more documents has become a key issue for some conservative voters heading into the 2024 election cycle. Massie warned that failing to hold a vote on the bill could damage the GOP’s credibility. He pointed out that Johnson adjourned the House early for the August recess, avoiding a vote on the Epstein files.
“The question is, why isn’t Mike Johnson having this vote? Why did he send us home early?” Massie asked during an appearance on ABC News. “If we don’t vote on this, and we go into the midterms… Republicans didn’t keep their promise. We’ll lose the majority.”
Some Democrats have also joined the call for transparency. Reps. Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., have expressed support for the bill. Former President Trump, who once socialized with Epstein, denied any ongoing connection with the disgraced financier. “I have nothing to do with the guy,” Trump said Friday. He claimed the controversy is a hoax pushed by “Radical Left Democrats.”
The Trump administration had previously walked back plans to release certain files tied to Epstein, sparking backlash from both parties. When asked about the possibility of Trump granting clemency to Epstein associate Ghislaine Maxwell, Massie rejected the idea. “I don’t think she deserves that or needs that,” he said, adding that Maxwell and Epstein could not have acted alone.
In a surprising development, the Justice Department recently granted Ghislaine Maxwell limited immunity. She can now answer questions without the risk of self-incrimination. Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche, a former Trump attorney, is overseeing the inquiry. Speaker Johnson declined to comment on a potential pardon for Maxwell, saying it is “a decision of the president.”
As pressure builds during the August recess, both parties face growing scrutiny over how they handle the Epstein files. Lawmakers may be forced to revisit the issue when Congress returns in September.
