House Speaker Johnson Rules Out Epstein Resolution Vote Before August Recess

House Speaker Mike Johnson announced that the House will not vote on a resolution calling for the release of more government files related to Jeffrey Epstein before the August recess, emphasizing the need to give the Trump administration time to act. The resolution, advanced by House Republicans, is symbolic and urges Attorney General Pam Bondi to release all credible documents concerning Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell investigations. Despite pressure from some Republicans and Democrats for greater transparency, Johnson stated there is alignment between House Republicans and President Trump, who has ordered the Justice Department to seek court approval to unseal grand jury transcripts. Democrats have criticized the resolution as insufficient and are pushing for legislation that would compel the Justice Department to disclose more information, asserting the public deserves full transparency. The issue has been politically charged, with Trump disputing allegations linked to a letter published by the Wall Street Journal and suing the paper for defamation. Meanwhile, a bipartisan effort led by Republican Rep. Thomas Massie seeks to force a vote on a measure mandating the release of Epstein-related files within 30 days.