House GOP Retreats Early as Epstein Files Fight Splinters Republicans and Fuels Internal Feud
Speaker Johnson ends session to avoid Epstein votes and attacks Republicans siding with Democrats as outrage boils over
Republicans Cut and Run to Avoid Epstein Votes, Exposing Internal Divisions
In an extraordinary move, House Speaker Mike Johnson announced Tuesday that the House of Representatives would begin its August recess early to avoid votes on releasing Jeffrey Epstein’s investigative files, CNBC reported. The decision came as Democrats prepared to force Republicans to vote on motions compelling the Department of Justice to disclose records about Epstein and his convicted associate, Ghislaine Maxwell.
Facing mounting criticism, Johnson argued the administration was already pursuing disclosure and called the Democratic effort a political stunt. “There’s no purpose for Congress to push an administration to do something that they’re already doing,” Johnson told reporters, CNBC noted.
Republicans canceled Thursday’s planned votes and will leave Washington on Wednesday, abandoning unrelated legislation in the process. Johnson insisted the party could support transparency while protecting victims, warning against rushing the process. Critics argue the move signals Republicans are shielding powerful names tied to Epstein, intensifying outrage and deepening divisions inside the party. Some Democrats and outside observers also viewed Johnson’s caution as consistent with his years of defending Trump during prior investigations, suggesting his stance reflects a broader pattern of shielding the former president and his allies, though Johnson denies any such motive, CNBC reported.
Johnson Lashes Out at GOP Colleague Over Epstein Discharge Petition
The speaker’s frustration boiled over as he directly attacked Rep. Thomas Massie, a fellow Republican from Kentucky, for co-sponsoring a discharge petition with Democrat Ro Khanna to force a vote on the Epstein files.
“I don’t understand Thomas Massie’s motivation. I really don’t,” Johnson said, accusing Massie of teaming with Democrats at a politically sensitive moment. He criticized Massie for failing to act during the Biden years and waiting until Trump’s reelection to advance the petition.
“Thomas Massie is trying to score points by siding with Democrats at the worst possible time,” Johnson added, CNBC reported. His unusually personal rebuke underscored growing rifts in the Republican caucus over how to handle the politically explosive documents.
DOJ Scrambles to Unseal Records and Engage Maxwell Amid Pressure
While Congress sparred, the Department of Justice moved to blunt criticism of its slow response, according to CNBC. Attorney General Pam Bondi directed DOJ lawyers to petition federal courts last week to unseal grand jury records tied to Epstein and Maxwell.
On Tuesday, Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche revealed he was in talks with Maxwell’s defense lawyer to see if she would cooperate with prosecutors and disclose information about others implicated in crimes. Maxwell is serving a 20-year sentence for her role in grooming underage girls for Epstein, who died in jail in 2019 while facing federal sex trafficking charges.
The DOJ’s actions followed mounting backlash against the Trump administration over what critics describe as foot-dragging on disclosure. Blanche indicated Maxwell might hold critical information about others who committed crimes against victims.
Democrats Seize Narrative as Republicans Fracture
Democrats wasted no time framing the GOP’s early recess as evidence of dysfunction and fear of accountability, CNBC reported. Party leaders accused Republicans of shielding the powerful and undermining victims by refusing to take up Democratic-backed motions for full disclosure.
The House Oversight Committee announced it would subpoena Maxwell “as expeditiously as possible,” vowing to continue work during the recess. Staff for Democratic and moderate Republican members circulated talking points accusing Johnson of protecting elites over victims.
The recess, they said, illustrates just how fractured and defensive Republicans have become over the Epstein scandal. By Tuesday evening, the narrative was clear: Republicans appear cornered and internally divided as the battle over Epstein’s secrets escalates. Observers expect the conflict to intensify when lawmakers return in September.
Timeline: Key Events in the Epstein Files Fight
2019-08-10: Jeffrey Epstein dies by suicide while awaiting trial.
2025-07-21: House Republicans cancel Thursday votes under pressure over Epstein records.
2025-07-22: Speaker Johnson announces early recess to avoid Democratic motions.
2025-07-22: DOJ petitions to unseal grand jury records and approaches Maxwell to cooperate.
Who’s Who & What’s at Stake
Mike Johnson: Speaker of the House; defending GOP strategy, opposing quick votes, attacking Massie.
Thomas Massie: Republican; co-sponsoring discharge petition with Democrats to release files.
Ro Khanna: Democrat; pushing for transparency with Massie.
Pam Bondi: Attorney General; overseeing DOJ efforts to unseal records.
Todd Blanche: Deputy Attorney General; negotiating with Maxwell’s defense.
Ghislaine Maxwell: Convicted Epstein associate; potential cooperating witness.
House Oversight Committee: Preparing to subpoena Maxwell and continue investigation.
Sidebar: What Is a Discharge Petition?
A discharge petition is a procedural mechanism in the House of Representatives that allows a majority of members to force a bill or resolution to the floor for a vote, bypassing leadership opposition.