Trump and Johnson try to distance themselves from Epstein files controversy. Over to you, Pam
One of the leading Republicans on Capitol Hill broke with the Trump administration’s decision not to release the files of deceased sex offender Jeffrey Epstein as the controversy deepened over the handling of an issue that has caused unprecedented division among the GOP base.
House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-Louisiana) told right-wing podcaster Benny Johnson that he supported the release of the Epstein files, days after President Donald Trump’s Justice Department said the matter was effectively closed. Johnson is a close Trump ally and has never broken so publicly with the president on an issue.
“I’m for transparency,” Johnson told Benny Johnson. “It’s a very delicate subject but we should put everything out there and let the people decide it.”
Even as Johnson publicly called for the files to be released, he opposed a procedural motion advanced on Tuesday by Democrats that would have set up a House vote to release them.
On the podcast, Speaker Johnson said that Attorney General Pam Bondi “needs to come forward and explain” the confusion she’s brewed after she said in interviews earlier this year that the purported Epstein “client list” was sitting on her desk for review, suggesting it would be released. Bondi and other Justice Department officials now say the client list — which some claim would reveal the names of powerful figures who allegedly participated in Epstein’s crimes — doesn’t exist.
“I like Pam. I think she’s done a good job, but we need the DOJ focusing on the major priorities,” he said. “I’m anxious to put this behind us.”
The rift with the Trump administration over an issue near to the heart of the president’s MAGA base suggests that the roiling debate over Epstein is far from over. Many of the president’s supporters believed him when they were promised that once he was restored to the White House, his administration would release the files that Trump long claimed his predecessor was hiding. Now, they are angry.
But Trump is backing Bondi and has called for his supporters to move on.
On Tuesday, Trump said Bondi gave him “a very quick briefing” on the Epstein documents before baselessly blaming previous Democratic administrations for creating the files.
“We’ve gone through years of [attacks], but she’s handled it very well, and it’s going to be up to her,” Trump said in defense of Bondi. “Whatever she thinks is credible, she should release.”
Johnson’s interview was released Tuesday afternoon, moments after Democrats nearly won a significant victory on the House floor. If Republicans had not blocked the procedural motion, they would have been forced to vote on a measure to release the files that was sponsored by Rep. Ro Khanna (D-California) and supported by House Democratic leadership. [Continue reading…]
Throughout Bondi’s tenure, pro-Trump influencer Laura Loomer has criticized Bondi. Loomer cited Bondi’s ties to former Florida governor Jeb Bush, as well as her lobbying for Qatar prior to joining the Trump administration. Now, Loomer — whose counsel Trump has repeatedly sought — is leading the drive to push Bondi out over the Epstein kerfuffle.
“Some White House staff literally called me begging me to stop attacking her back in February and March. But, I’m not getting any calls to stop this week. Speaks volumes, doesn’t it?” Loomer wondered in a recent post.
Other prominent figures in MAGA world are sharpening their knives, too. Trump’s former national security adviser Mike Flynn admonished Trump that the fallout of the Epstein saga would not go away anytime soon. Like Loomer and Kelly, pro-Trump commentator Glenn Beck suggested Bondi’s standing is on the ropes with Trump’s base and that she might have to go.
“Pam Bondi has created so much DOUBT and CHAOS in this whole thing. There’s no reason for all of this. either it’s a MASSIVE COVER-UP or she’s just FOULED IT UP,” he said in a video posted on social media. [Continue reading…]