In This Article

  • Early Adjournment Delays Epstein Vote
  • DOJ to Meet with Ghislaine Maxwell
  • House Speaker Defends Decision Amid Criticism
  • Growing Calls for Epstein Document Release
  • Victim Accuser Criticizes Focus on Abusers

Key Takeaways

  • House Speaker Mike Johnson adjourned the chamber early to delay a vote on declassifying Jeffrey Epstein-related documents until September.
  • The U.S. Department of Justice requested a meeting with Ghislaine Maxwell to question her about Epstein's crimes, with her legal team confirming discussions for a truthful testimony.
  • Bipartisan pressure for transparency led to a committee vote to subpoena Maxwell to testify before Congress.
  • House Speaker Johnson defended the adjournment, accusing Democrats of playing political games and asserting that Republicans are done being lectured on transparency.
  • Victims of Epstein's abuse, like Annie Farmer, criticized the focus on the abusers rather than the survivors, calling the situation a 'real weight' on victims.

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U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson abruptly adjourned the chamber early, delaying a contentious vote on declassifying documents related to disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein until September. The move came as bipartisan pressure mounts for transparency and follows a committee vote to subpoena Ghislaine Maxwell, Epstein’s longtime associate, to testify before Congress.

Earlier Tuesday, the U.S. Department of Justice requested a meeting with Maxwell to ask "What do you know?" about Epstein’s crimes. Her legal team confirmed discussions with the government, stating she would "always testify truthfully." President Trump called the DOJ meeting "appropriate," adding, "I don't know anything about it."

Johnson defended the adjournment, accusing Democrats of "political games." "We're done being lectured on transparency," he said. The House is expected to reconvene in September, allowing Johnson time to mend divisions within the Republican party over how to handle Epstein disclosures.

The decision follows growing calls to release Epstein files, including from Trump supporters. Sections of the MAGA movement have criticized the DOJ and FBI’s July 6 conclusion that Epstein did not have a "client list" and that he took his own life. Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche, Trump’s former personal attorney, said the assessment "remains accurate." He confirmed plans to meet Maxwell "soon," stating, "If Ghislaine Maxwell has information about anyone who committed crimes against victims, the FBI and DOJ will hear what she has to say."

Far-right figures like Laura Loomer questioned why the DOJ waited to interview Maxwell. Epstein, a convicted sex offender, died by suicide in 2019 while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges. Maxwell, sentenced to 20 years for aiding Epstein’s abuse of young girls, is appealing her conviction.

Accuser Annie Farmer called the saga a "real weight" on victims, criticizing the focus on abusers rather than survivors. "Too much attention is given to the people who did this, not enough to those of us who were hurt," she told the BBC.

The Epstein case has become a major political flashpoint, with Trump escalating pressure on Attorney General Pam Bondi to release grand jury testimony.

Related Topics: Jeffrey Epstein, United States, Ghislaine Maxwell, DOJ, Trump

Tags:

#Trump #** Epstein #Ghislaine Maxwell #DOJ #House Speaker