On Tuesday, House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) joined a growing number of voices within the Republican party advocating for the release of files related to the infamous sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. This renewed call for transparency comes amidst a backdrop of internal discord among Trump supporters regarding the circumstances surrounding Epstein's death in 2019 and the alleged absence of a client list.
Former President Donald Trump has urged his supporters to focus on more pressing issues rather than the Epstein case. He expressed his confusion over the ongoing fascination with Epstein, stating, "He's dead for a long time. He was never a big factor in terms of life. I don't understand what the interest or what the fascination is." Trump characterized the case as "pretty boring stuff," reflecting his desire to move past the controversy.
In the wake of Trump's comments, Democrats quickly seized on the opportunity to highlight the rift within the Republican party. They are pushing their GOP colleagues to choose between the White House and their discontented base. On Tuesday, Republicans dismissed a procedural maneuver proposed by Democratic Rep. Ro Khanna (Calif.) that aimed to compel the Department of Justice (DOJ) to release Epstein-related documents, labeling it a partisan tactic.
Despite the Republican party's rejection of the Democratic measure, Johnson expressed his commitment to transparency during an interview with conservative podcaster Benny Johnson. "It's a very delicate subject, but we should put everything out there and let the people decide," he stated. Johnson also called for Attorney General Pam Bondi to clarify her claims regarding a supposed list of Epstein's clients that she mentioned was on her desk.
Johnson's push for clarity comes as Bondi responded to inquiries about the Epstein case, stating, "Today our memo speaks for itself, and we will get back to you about anything else." Meanwhile, David Schoen, a former attorney for Epstein, voiced skepticism about the existence of a client list, remarking, "That wasn't Jeffrey Epstein." This uncertainty continues to fuel debates about the implications of Epstein's connections.
Reports indicate that the Trump administration is exploring various strategies to address the backlash stemming from the Epstein issue, which holds significant importance for many within his base. As Democrats ramp up their rhetoric surrounding the Epstein controversy, they are promising future legislative votes to bolster their position.
Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.), who has had a contentious relationship with Trump, announced plans to initiate a long-shot procedural move to bypass House leadership and force another vote on the Epstein matter. The proposed discharge petition would necessitate the signatures of 218 lawmakers. Massie stated, "We all deserve to know what's in the Epstein files, who's implicated, and how deep this corruption goes. Americans were promised justice and transparency." His resolution, co-sponsored by Khanna, aims to make DOJ materials related to Epstein publicly available within 30 days.
As Trump attempts to downplay the Epstein conversation by referring to him as "somebody that nobody cares about," the fallout from this situation continues to loom over his administration. According to Axios' Marc Caputo, the divide within the Republican party is a source of opportunity for Democrats, who are leveraging the discord to strengthen their strategy against Trump. Even key Trump allies, like Speaker Johnson, appear to be diverging from the administration's stance, indicating a growing complexity in the ongoing Epstein discourse.
The call for the release of the Epstein files underscores a significant point of contention within the political landscape. As the debate continues, it remains clear that both parties are keenly aware of the implications this issue holds for their respective bases and the broader electoral landscape.
