WASHINGTON (BN24) — House Speaker Mike Johnson is calling for the Justice Department to release documents related to Jeffrey Epstein, marking a rare public split with Donald Trump on an issue that has ignited anger among the president’s conservative supporters.
Johnson’s remarks come amid growing frustration from Trump’s allies over what they view as the opaque handling of Epstein’s case by Attorney General Pam Bondi, who last week announced the department would not release further information.
“It’s a very delicate subject, but we should put everything out there and let the people decide it,” Johnson said in an interview with right-wing commentator Benny Johnson released Tuesday. “I agree with the sentiment that we need to put it out there.”
Epstein died by suicide in federal custody in 2019 while facing sex-trafficking charges. Despite long-running conspiracy theories, the Justice Department reiterated last week that there is no secret client list and no additional disclosures planned.
Those conclusions have infuriated parts of Trump’s MAGA base, who had expected the president to fulfill campaign promises to fully expose Epstein’s connections. The controversy escalated after Bondi told Fox News earlier this year that a client list was “sitting on my desk right now to review.”
“She needs to come forward and explain that to everybody,” Speaker Johnson said, referencing Bondi’s remark. “We need the DOJ focusing on the major priorities. So let’s get this thing resolved.”
Earlier Tuesday, House Republicans defeated a Democratic attempt to add language to a bill requiring the Epstein files to be released. Even so, Democrats on the House Judiciary Committee pledged to keep pressing the issue, calling on Committee Chair Jim Jordan—one of Trump’s top allies—to hold hearings with Bondi, her deputy, and FBI leaders.
Trump has moved to calm the uproar, posting on Truth Social over the weekend: “One year ago our Country was DEAD, now it’s the ‘HOTTEST’ Country anywhere in the World. Let’s keep it that way, and not waste Time and Energy on Jeffrey Epstein, somebody that nobody cares about.”
Speaking to reporters before leaving the White House for Pittsburgh, Trump defended Bondi’s handling of the case but suggested more information could still emerge. “She’s handled it very well, and it’s going to be up to her,” he said. “Whatever she thinks is credible, she should release.”
