Mike Johnson Denies House Shut Down Due to 'Fear' of Vote Forcing Epstein Files Release

House Speaker Mike Johnson is denying claims that he shut down Congress early to avoid a politically risky vote on releasing Jeffrey Epstein investigation files, saying Republicans will not be drawn into what he called "political gamesmanship."

The House was dismissed for August recess, sparking criticism from Democrats and fueling speculation that the move was designed to block an effort to force a vote on unsealing documents related to Epstein's case. The disgraced financier died by suicide in jail in 2019 while awaiting trial on federal sex trafficking charges, but his extensive ties to public figures have kept public pressure high for more transparency.

At a press conference Wednesday, Johnson firmly rejected the suggestion that fear over the Epstein issue drove the recess decision. "No, we don't have any fear. There's no fear here. No, there's no fear. I will not allow the House to be drug into political gamesmanship." He also insisted, "No one in Congress is blocking Epstein documents. No one in Congress is doing that," AA reported.

Democrats, however, saw the timing differently. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer called it the "Epstein Recess" and accused Johnson of helping former President Donald Trump avoid scrutiny. "The speaker should not send the lawmakers home early to avoid dealing with the Epstein issue," Schumer said on the Senate floor. "The American people have a right to know what happened."

Johnson said Trump has directed the Justice Department to work through the courts to release any "credible" grand jury information. "We want the full weight of the law to fall upon their head," he said of those involved in Epstein's alleged crimes. "That process is underway right now, and we'll see how it plays out."