Republican Rep. Slams Mike Johnson Over Epstein Files As House Is Shut Until September To Block Vote

Republican Rep. Thomas Massie slammed Mike Johnson as he shut down the House until September to block votes related to disgraced financier and sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein.

Speaking on C-Span, Massie criticized the party after Republicans on the Rules Committee also voted down a Democratic amendment to advance his bill seeking to release the files.

"I think that was the admonition of our speaker in there, was just sort of, stick your head in the sand, let the administration maybe dissipate this by dribbling some stuff out. I mean, I'm heavily paraphrasing," Massie said.

Shortly after, Johnson said he would shut down the House until September to prevent votes calling for the release of the files. The House Speaker added that votes would end Wednesday night to avoid "political games" shortly after the House Oversight Committee voted to subpoena Ghislaine Maxwell, Epstein's longtime associate, for a deposition.

The Trump administration is moving forward with its own approach, with Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche saying the Department of Justice and the FBI will "hear" what Maxwell "has to say" about the case if she "has information about anyone who has committed crimes against victims."

"Therefore, at the direction of Attorney General Bondi, I have communicated with counsel for Ms. Maxwell to determine whether she would be willing to speak with prosecutors from the Department. I anticipate meeting with Ms. Maxwell in the coming days. Until now, no administration on behalf of the Department had inquired about her willingness to meet with the government. That changes now," Blanche added.

Maxwell's attorney David Oscar Markus said his client will "always testify truthfully." In a social media publication, CNN reporter Kaitlan Collins quoted the attorney confirming that they "are in discussions with the government" for this purpose. "We are grateful to President Trump for his commitment to uncovering the truth in this case," Markus added.

Epstein's former lawyer Alan Dershowitz said Maxwell should be granted immunity in exchange for revealing what she knows. "(Maxwell) knows everything," he added. She is currently serving a 20-year sentence for sex trafficking and other crimes in connection with Epstein.

"I'm told that she actually would be willing to testify, and there'd be no reason for her to withhold any information. So I don't see any negative in giving her the kind of use immunity that would compel her to testify. So she ought to be summoned in front of a congressional committee," Dershowitz told Fox News.