Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) is discussing backing a measure in support of disclosing more information related to the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, two sources told The Hill.
Johnson’s consideration of the move comes as outrage over the Trump administration’s handling of the matter roils the Republican Party. In the House, GOP members of the Rules Committee, in particular, have gotten immense public pushback for voting down a Democrat-led amendment demanding more information be released. Just one Republican, Rep. Ralph Norman (S.C.), voted in favor of the measure in committee.
The final structure and details of the measure were not immediately clear, and Republicans will have to walk a careful line in how they craft it as they balance placating the party’s base with avoiding the wrath of President Trump.
“The House Republicans are for transparency and they’re looking for a way to say that,” Johnson said.
“I’ve been very clear, the members have been very clear. The House Rules Committee Republicans have been taking incoming and criticism because they voted to stop the Democrats’ politicization of this, and they’re trying to stick to their job and move the procedural rules to the floor so we can do our work and get the rescissions done for the American people. They are for transparency, just as we all are, and we are looking for ways to express that. That’s all it is,” he added.
The MAGA base has expressed fury over the administration’s handling of the case, while Trump has fumed over public calls for more information, calling the Epstein matter a “hoax” and suggesting Democrats altered the files.
The measure, however, will likely spell out that the names of whistleblowers and victims in the case should be shielded, one source noted, a difference from the Democrat-led amendment, which calls for the full release of materials.
Punchbowl News first reported Johnson discussing backing an Epstein-release measure.
The GOP-led effort comes as Democrats keep forcing votes on releasing the Epstein files, which have forced Republicans into the difficult decision of risking Trump’s wrath or shooting it down despite anger among their constituents.
Aside from the vote on the Democrat-led amendment in the House Rules Committee this week, Democrats tried to stage a floor vote on a resolution to compel the release of the files through an obscure procedural gambit. Their effort failed.
Also looming over the debate is a bipartisan push to demand the release of the documents. Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) and Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.) are leading the measure — which several House Republicans have joined as co-sponsors — and they plan to start a discharge petition to force it to the floor if they gain support from at least 218 members.
The Justice Department and FBI asserted in a memo last week that Epstein’s death was a suicide and that he did not have a client list. Officials declined to release any more details, saying information under seal “served only to protect victims and did not expose any additional third-parties to allegations of illegal wrongdoing.”
Johnson made headlines earlier this week for notably breaking with Trump on the Epstein matter, saying that Attorney General Pam Bondi needs to “explain” the decision to not put out more information
“It’s a very delicate subject, but we should put everything out there and let the people decide it,” Johnson told conservative commentator Benny Johnson on Tuesday.
The next day, Johnson said his comments were misinterpreted, and suggested there was no major difference between his position and Trump’s, citing his statement that “credible” information could be released.
Trump on Wednesday, however, tore into those demanding more disclosures, calling those fixed on the case his “PAST supporters” and asserting: “I don’t want their support anymore!”
House GOP lawmakers — facing the competing pressures of Trump and an outraged voter base — have been at odds this week over whether the documents should be disclosed.
Some House Republicans have said their offices are being inundated with constituent calls about the files, many of whom are frustrated by the Trump administration’s handling of the matter.
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