House throttled by Epstein drama
The House Oversight and Government Reform Committee voted to authorize the subpoena following a motion put forward by Rep. Tim Burchett (R-Tenn.), even as President Trump urges his party to drop the topic and move on.
Republicans on the House Rules Committee adjourned Monday night without completing their work in order to dodge Democratic threats to stage additional votes to compel the release of new Epstein documents.
So far, Trump's move to authorize the Department of Justice (DOJ) to release grand jury transcripts from the Epstein case has failed to quell demands from Republicans on Capitol Hill for more transparency.
Two federal judges on Tuesday asked the DOJ for more information before deciding whether to unseal the transcripts.
Meanwhile, the DOJ said it planned to meet with Maxwell, who was convicted in 2021 on sex trafficking charges and sentenced to 20 years in prison.
'I anticipate meeting with Ms. Maxwell in the coming days,' Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche posted on X. 'Until now, no administration on behalf of the Department had inquired about her willingness to meet with the government. That changes now.'
Trump on Tuesday said he wasn't following the new developments but that the DOJ's move 'sounds appropriate.'
Republican leaders on Capitol Hill are caught between Trump's insistence that there's nothing more to uncover and demands from the rank-and-file to release all government files on the case.
The turmoil stems from a DOJ report released earlier this month that determined Epstein did not keep a 'client list,' which many on the right believed would include the names of powerful people implicated in Epstein's crimes.
To date, Maxwell is the only person to have been convicted in the case. Epstein died by suicide in a jail cell in 2019 as he was awaiting trial.
Tensions are running hot on Capitol Hill, with Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) swiping at Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.), who cosponsored a measure with Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.) that would force a vote on releasing more Epstein documents.
'Bless his heart,' Johnson said when asked if he'd support Massie's reelection bid.
Massie has repeatedly broken with Trump over spending and been a thorn in the side of GOP leaders.
Trump has threatened to back a primary challenge against Massie. In an interview with NBC News, Massie said that move would 'backfire tremendously.'
'They're trying to beat up on me in order to keep everybody else in line here,' he said.
But Johnson is also dealing with a revolt from other members.
'I led Republicans in a serious resolution — that protects victims — to expose the truth about the Epstein files, just like President Trump promised. But leadership is stalling,' Rep. Ralph Norman (R-S.C.) posted on X. 'The American people deserve action, not excuses. Let's vote on it before August recess and get it DONE!!'
Johnson said this week the House would not vote on a resolution calling for the release of some Epstein documents, saying he wanted to give the DOJ 'space' as it seeks to unseal grand jury testimony.
The Speaker on Tuesday said he supports 'maximum transparency' but is concerned about releasing information about Epstein's victims.
'Some of them were minors, some of them were not,' Johnson said. 'When the Epstein records are turned over to the public, which we must do as quickly as possible, we have to also be very judicious and careful about protecting innocent.'
The House will adjourn a day earlier than scheduled this week, with lawmakers leaving town Wednesday. They'll return in September.
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