House Speaker Mike Johnson is drawing criticism for his decision to delay congressional action on the Jeffrey Epstein investigation, choosing instead to adjourn the House early for its August recess while allowing the White House to take the first step.
Johnson, a Louisiana Republican, defended his approach Tuesday, saying the Biden administration should be given “space” to release the Epstein-related records voluntarily, even as lawmakers on both sides of the aisle push for legislation mandating full disclosure.
“There’s no purpose for the Congress to push an administration to do something they’re already doing,” Johnson said at his weekly press conference — his last before lawmakers leave Washington for the month.
While Johnson echoed former President Donald Trump’s call for the release of Epstein files, he emphasized that only “credible” information should be made public. His cautious tone has frustrated many House Republicans, who are demanding swift and aggressive action amid growing grassroots pressure.
A Republican-led subcommittee on the House Oversight Committee is already moving ahead with plans to subpoena Epstein’s former associate Ghislaine Maxwell for a deposition. Meanwhile, GOP lawmakers are rallying behind a bipartisan bill that would force the Justice Department to release additional documents related to the high-profile sex trafficking case.
“The public’s not going to let this die, and rightfully so,” said Rep. Ralph Norman (R-SC).
The frustration boiled over Monday night when the House Rules Committee — which controls which bills go to the floor — suddenly recessed after internal Republican disputes, halting legislative business for the week. As a result, Johnson shut down the House early, avoiding potential embarrassment over failed GOP votes on Epstein-related resolutions.
Last week, Republican leaders had floated a symbolic resolution urging the DOJ to release more Epstein records, but that proposal lacked legal power. Trump has also urged Attorney General Pam Bondi to seek the release of secret grand jury testimony, though legal experts say such efforts are unlikely to yield much.
Johnson, whose grip on the speakership depends heavily on Trump’s support, defended the delay by citing the need to protect victims.
“We have a moral responsibility to expose the evil of Epstein and everybody involved — absolutely,” he said. “But we also have a moral responsibility to protect the innocent. That’s a fine line to walk.”
Epstein died in a New York jail cell in 2019 while awaiting trial. Prosecutors said he sexually abused underage girls for years, often with the assistance of longtime confidante Ghislaine Maxwell, who is now serving a prison sentence.
