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Straits Times
2 days ago
- Politics
- Straits Times
Republican Speaker Johnson retreats on demand for Epstein disclosures, saying Trump needs ‘space'
US House of Representatives Speaker Mike Johnson said there would be no vote on the Epstein filed before the House departs on July 24. WASHINGTON – US House Speaker Mike Johnson said on July 21 that he would not hold a House vote this summer on whether the Justice Department should release files related to accused sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein, retreating from his demand last week that the material must come out. Reacting to intense pressure from the angry Maga base, Mr Johnson had on July 15 showed a rare glimpse of daylight between himself and Mr Trump, who was imploring his supporters to move on from the matter. 'We should put everything out there and let the people decide,' Mr Johnson had said on 'The Benny Show' when asked about the Justice Department's investigation into Epstein. 'I agree with the sentiment that we need to – we need to put it out there.' The Rules Committee, a powerful panel controlled by the speaker, had even approved a measure that would bring to the floor a resolution calling for the disclosures, though Republicans gave no timetable for voting on it. Less than a week later, the speaker reverted to his more familiar posture of deferring to the president. 'We need the administration to have the space to do what it is doing,' Mr Johnson told reporters at the Capitol on July 21 when asked about holding a House vote on releasing the investigative files. 'If further congressional action is necessary or appropriate, then we'll look at that,' Mr Johnson said. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. World US President Trump 'caught off guard' by Israel's strikes in Syria Opinion Singapore's vaping crisis lays bare the drug addiction nightmare for parents Singapore LTA seeks tailored solutions to improve Bukit Panjang LRT's maintenance inspections Multimedia 'It's very sad': She comforts loved ones turned away by inmates Opinion Sumiko at 61: 7 facts about facial skin ageing, and skincare ingredients that actually work Singapore Subsidies and grants for some 20,000 people miscalculated due to processing issue: MOH Opinion With Shatec cutting back operations, what's next for the hospitality sector? World US not rushing trade deals ahead of August deadline, will talk with China, Bessent says But he added that there would be no vote on the Epstein files before the House departs on July 24 for a six-week summer break, saying, 'I don't think we're at that point yet, because we agree with the president.' Mr Johnson was able to obtain his gavel and has been able to keep it because of his unshakable loyalty to Mr Trump. His initial call for the release of the Epstein files when Mr Trump was asking for the opposite underscored how the case had created an unusual and deep split between the president and his supporters. But the speaker's reversal suggests that Mr Trump's efforts to quell the unrest in his political base over the matter may be succeeding. Mr Johnson implied that his concerns about transparency had been alleviated, for now, by Mr Trump's move to authorise attorney-general Pam Bondi to seek the public release of grand jury testimony from the prosecution of Epstein. That is a far cry from the breadth of information the president's supporters have demanded, yet it appeared to be enough to persuade the speaker. 'There is no daylight between the House Republicans, the House and the president on maximum transparency,' Mr Johnson said on July 21. 'He has asked the attorney-general to request the grand jury files of the court; all of that is in process.' It remains to be seen whether Mr Trump will be able to appease his supporters by selectively releasing material. But Mr Johnson's quick turnaround indicated that he intends to slow walk, or stymie, a floor vote that could potentially damage Mr Trump. Still, Mr Johnson cannot control all of his members, some of whom are still channeling the angry base and have joined a long-shot bipartisan push to force a vote on the matter within weeks. 'If you tell the base of people, who support you, of deep state treasonous crimes, election interference, blackmail and rich powerful elite evil cabals, then you must take down every enemy of The People,' representative Marjorie Taylor Greene wrote on social media on July 21. 'If not. The base will turn and there's no going back. Dangling bits of red meat no longer satisfies. They want the whole steak dinner and will accept nothing else.' NYTIMES
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
MAGA supporters Trump is calling 'weaklings' over Jeffrey Epstein files: Here's a list
President Donald Trump appears at odds with some of his supporters over files on the late sex predator Jeffrey Epstein. Epstein was a Palm Beach resident and convicted sex offender who died while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges in 2019. Trump had long accused the Biden administration of hiding a list of Epstein clients. In March, Attorney General Pam Bondi said she had a "truckload" of Epstein files to review and potentially release. On July 7, Bondi's Justice Department said that there was no "client list" and that no further disclosure was needed. The move prompted an outcry for more transparency among Republicans, even as Trump appeared to downplay it as old news. His apparent frustration over the matter reached a new high in a July 16 Truth Social Post. "(Democrats') new SCAM is what we will forever call the Jeffrey Epstein Hoax, and my PAST supporters have bought into this 'bulls***,' hook, line, and sinker," Trump wrote. "Let these weaklings continue forward and do the Democrats work, don't even think about talking of our incredible and unprecedented success, because I don't want their support anymore!" Trump later said the DOJ should release "credible" records related to Epstein, according to a White House pool report. Which Republicans have called for more transparency on the Epstein files? Since Bondi's memo, here are some prominent Republicans who have spoken out against the Trump administration with calls to release the files: Speaker of the House Mike Johnson called for more transparency on the matter. Trump's daughter-in-law Lara Trump also called for more transparency. Rep. Mike Lee, R-Utah, called for Ghislaine Maxwell to testify to Congress on Benny Johnson's podcast, "The Benny Show." Charlie Kirk, the head of Turning Point USA, listed 10 things he thinks should be done about the files and witnesses. Rep. Lauren Boebert said, "no one is satisfied with what has been received of lack thereof," on "The Benny Show." House Oversight Committee Chair James Comer said, "people want to see accountability," on "The Benny Show." Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Georgia, and Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Kentucky, cosponsored a petition to force a House vote on releasing the files. House Democrats have also introduced legislative measures to release the Epstein files. What was Epstein convicted of? Epstein never sat for trial, but he pleaded guilty to solicitation of prostitution and solicitation of a minor for prostitution in 2008 in Florida. He was also a registered sex offender. He died in 2019, before he could be tried for sex trafficking charges in New York. He was found hanged in a Manhattan jail cell, and the medical examiner ruled it a suicide. When was Epstein caught and first charged? A police investigation into Epstein began in March 2005 after a woman from Palm Beach County said her 14-year-old step-daughter had been molested by a wealthy man. In July 2006, Epstein was indicted by a grand jury on a felony charge of soliciting prostitution, which did not address the 14-year-old victim's age. He was arrested and spent one night in Palm Beach County jail, released the next day on $3,000 bond. The Palm Beach Post sued in 2019 to make public those grand jury transcripts after learning in an investigation that then-Palm Beach County State Attorney Barry Krischer had tanked his own case. When the documents were released in July 2024, they showed prosecutors questioning the only two victims to testify about matters such as what kind panties and bra they wore and even worse, calling them prostitutes and asking whether they knew they had committed a crime. Epstein signed a non-prosecution agreement that was called the "deal of the century." He pleaded guilty in 2008 to solicitation of prostitution and solicitation of a minor for prostitution. He was sentenced to 18 months in jail, where he was allowed work leave privileges six days a week/12 hours a day. He served 13 months. When he was released from jail, he spent a year on house arrest but was allowed to travel anywhere so long as he returned in 24 hours. What is the president up to? Is Donald Trump in the Epstein files? Trump has already appeared in legal documents concerning Epstein's crimes but never in a way that implicates him. In the 1990s, Trump rode on aircraft owned by Epstein, according to flight logs released in two lawsuits. But that was 30-plus years ago. In Palm Beach County state attorney documents, an image of a message pad communication seized in a Palm Beach police search appeared, but there is nothing more than Trump's name and a phone number. Contributing: Aysha Bagchi, Sudiksha Kochi, USA TODAY Kinsey Crowley is the Trump Connect reporter for the USA TODAY Network. Reach her at kcrowley@ Follow her on X and TikTok @kinseycrowley or Bluesky at @ This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: MAGA supporters Donald Trump called 'weaklings' over Jeffrey Epstein files Solve the daily Crossword
Time of India
6 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Jeffrey Epstein files: Republican Lauren Boebert demands probe into ‘client list'; suggests former Attorney General Matt Gaetz to lead investigation
Representative Lauren Boebert has called for a special counsel investigation into the case and suggested that former Attorney General Matt Gaetz should lead it, as reported by the Independent. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Boebert, a Republican from Colorado, said Gaetz would be a suitable person to uncover the "truth" about Epstein's death and the alleged 'client list' of powerful individuals connected to him. Supporters of President have expressed frustration after the Justice Department and FBI stated there was no credible evidence that such a list exists. Jeffrey Epstein, a disgraced financier died by suicide in his prison cell on August 2019, while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges. Many conspiracy theories have claimed that Epstein had a secret list of well-known people to whom he trafficked underage girls. 'There has to be a special investigation into this if we aren't going to be provided information,' Boebert said on Tuesday during an appearance on The Benny Show. 'I want answers and maybe that takes that special counsel to do so. Maybe Matt Gaetz can lead the special counsel.' Gaetz, 43, was once President Trump's top choice for attorney general. However, his nomination was dropped after he was accused of paying for sex, including with a 17-year-old girl. Gaetz denied any wrongdoing and had later withdrawn from the nomination. A December House Ethics Committee report found "substantial evidence" that Gaetz had engaged in sexual misconduct, drug use and other rule violations while serving in Congress. The committee found that he violated "other standards of conduct prohibiting prostitution, statutory rape, illicit drug use, impermissible gifts, special favors or privileges, and obstruction of Congress.' Tired of too many ads? go ad free now After the podcast, Boebert posted on social media platform X, asking Gaetz directly if he would consider her suggestion. 'We deserve the truth about the Epstein Files. I'm ready for a Special Counsel to handle this, MattGaetz, how about it?', Boebert wrote in a post on X. Gaetz, who now hosts a show on Newsmax and often supports Attorney General Pam Bondi, has not publicly responded to Boebart's post. Boebert also said she supports calling , Epstein's longtime associate, to testify. 'Of course we want answers,' she said. 'No one is satisfied with what has been received or the lack of information. No one is happy with how this has been handled.' Outrage among MAGA supporters has continued. Last week the Justice Department and FBI issued a memo that there was no client list and no additional files relating to the case would be made public. Most case files remain sealed to protect Epstein's victims and only a small portion would have been made public if the case had gone to trial. The memo also stated that investigators did not find enough evidence to charge any unindicted individuals connected to the case. Meanwhile, Trump, who had pledged to release the Epstein files during his campaign, said the case was 'boring' in remarks to reporters Tuesday. 'I don't understand why the Jeffrey Epstein case would be of interest to anybody,' Trump said. 'It's pretty boring stuff. I think really only pretty bad people, including fake news, want to keep something like that going.' Democrats tried to force a House vote to release the Epstein files, but Republicans blocked the effort.
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Rep. Lauren Boebert wants Matt Gaetz to lead special counsel investigation into Epstein files
Rep. Lauren Boebert wants failed Attorney General nominee Matt Gaetz to lead a special counsel investigation into the Epstein files. The Colorado Republican suggested the former congressman was an appropriate figure to deliver the 'truth' surrounding Jeffrey Epstein's death, including his 'client list,' which MAGA has been up and arms about after the Department of Justice and FBI said they found no credible evidence it exists. Epstein died by suicide in his prison cell on August 10, 2019, and has long been the subject of conspiracy theories that he kept a secret list of famous and powerful people to whom he trafficked underage girls for sex. MAGA is deeply unhappy over the Trump administration's handling of the case. 'There has to be a special investigation into this if we aren't going to be provided information,' Boebert said Tuesday on The Benny Show. 'I want answers and maybe that takes that special counsel to do so. Maybe Matt Gaetz can lead the special counsel.' Gaetz, 43, was President Donald Trump's first pick for attorney general but his nomination was derailed over allegations that he paid for sex, including with a 17-year-old girl. Gaetz, who denies any wrongdoing, withdrew from the nomination in mid-November after the uproar, but a bombshell House Ethics Committee report published in December detailed his alleged sexual misconduct and illicit drug use while he was in Congress. Lauren Boebert suggested that former congressman Matt Gaetz was an appropriate figure to deliver the 'truth' surrounding Jeffrey Epstein's death. (Getty Images) The committee determined there was 'substantial evidence' that Gaetz violated House rules 'and other standards of conduct prohibiting prostitution, statutory rape, illicit drug use, impermissible gifts, special favors or privileges, and obstruction of Congress.' After appearing on the podcast, Boebert asked Gaetz directly if he would consider her suggestion. 'We deserve the truth about the Epstein Files. I'm ready for a Special Counsel to handle this,' Boebert wrote in a post on X. '@MattGaetz, how about it?' Gaetz, who often backs his replacement Attorney General Pam Bondi on his Newsmax show, didn't publicly respond to Boebert's post. Boebert also told MAGA host Benny Johnson that she is 'absolutely' in favor of getting Epstein's madam, Ghislaine Maxwell, to testify. 'Of course we want answers. No one is satisfied with what has been received or lack thereof. No one is satisfied with the rollout of this,' she said. Boebert asked Gaetz if he would consider her suggestion in a post on X. ' I'm ready for a Special Counsel to handle this,' Boebert said. '@MattGaetz, how about it?' (Getty Images) MAGA outrage over the Epstein files has rumbled on for more than a week, despite the White House's attempts to put a lid on it. Last week the Justice Department and FBI issued a memo that there was no client list and no additional files relating to the case would be made public. The agencies had determined that no 'further disclosure would be appropriate or warranted,' much was sealed by a court to protect Epstein's victims, and 'only a fraction of it 'would have been aired publicly had Epstein gone to trial.' Additionally, the memo said that no further charges were expected as investigators 'did not uncover evidence that could predicate an investigation against uncharged third parties.' Trump, who pledged to release the Epstein files during his campaign, said the case was 'boring' in remarks to reporters Tuesday. 'I don't understand why the Jeffrey Epstein case would be of interest to anybody,' Trump said. 'It's pretty boring stuff. I think really only pretty bad people, including fake news, want to keep something like that going.' Democrats have also seized upon the upset and attempted to force a vote Tuesday in the House to release the files but it was blocked by Republicans.
Time of India
6 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Trump faces revolt on Epstein case: Republican strongholds push to release files; Democrats eye MAGA divide
A growing number of MAGA-aligned Republican lawmakers are at odds with US President Donald Trump over his administration's refusal to release more information about pedophile Jeffrey Epstein . Once some of Trump's closest allies, several far-right members of Congress are now publicly criticising his stance on the Epstein case and accusing the administration of backtracking on promises to reveal the full truth about the disgraced financier, reports New York Times. The unrest comes as Trump also faces conservative pushback on foreign policy issues involving Iran and Ukraine. Marjorie Taylor Greene : 'A punch in the gut' Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene, who built her political career on populist rage and conspiracy theories, including those linked to Epstein, has emerged as one of the most vocal critics of the administration's position on Epstein files. 'It's a full reversal on what was all said beforehand, and people are just not willing to accept it,' she told reporters. Referring to the Justice Department's statement that no further disclosures about Epstein would be 'appropriate or warranted,' Greene said, 'I don't accept it, and I don't think anyone else should accept it.' She added, 'It's a punch in the gut when regular people go to jail all the time, when they mess up and do something wrong, and then it always seems the rich, powerful elites escape.' Nancy Mace: 'Every platform, every phone call' Representative Nancy Mace of South Carolina echoed the frustration, saying that calls for transparency on Epstein have dominated communication with her office. 'It's the only thing we've heard about for the last 100 hours,' she said. 'It's every social media platform, every phone call into the office.' Mace said she supported the appointment of a special counsel to investigate whether evidence had been destroyed or key figures had been shielded. 'If the Justice Department can be more transparent on this, it would be best for the country,' she said. 'People don't trust the government, and we haven't given them much reason to over the past few years.' Mike Johnson: 'Put everything out there' Even Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, a close ally of Trump, has cautiously sided with those seeking more openness. 'We should put everything out there and let the people decide,' he said during an appearance on The Benny Show. While Johnson added that it was 'not my lane,' he made clear he supported the general call for transparency. Tim Burchett: 'Aggravated at Pam Bondi' Representative Tim Burchett of Tennessee stopped short of criticising Trump directly, but voiced displeasure over Attorney General Pam Bondi's handling of the case. 'I'm aggravated at Pam Bondi, claiming the list is on her desk,' he said, referencing earlier comments from Bondi suggesting she had access to Epstein-related material. Bondi's department later claimed no such list existed. Still, Burchett avoided placing blame on Trump, saying, 'I haven't spoken to the president about it. I don't know the reasoning there.' Thomas Massie and the Discharge Petition Seeking to force the issue, Representative Thomas Massie of Kentucky said he would introduce a discharge petition to compel a floor vote on releasing Epstein files. Discharge petitions, while rarely successful, can bypass leadership if they gather majority support. Massie is also co-sponsoring a bill with Democrat Ro Khanna to declassify all non-sensitive Epstein documents, while protecting the identities of victims. Democrats aware of the split Democrats are closely watching the Republican split. Representative Jamie Raskin of Maryland said, 'This is definitely not a reason for [Pam Bondi] to resign, because it's clear that Donald Trump is the one who is calling the tune here.' While some GOP members push for transparency, the party leadership remains aligned with the president. Earlier this week, House Republicans blocked a Democratic proposal that would have forced a debate on the Epstein files. Only one Republican on the Rules Committee, Representative Ralph Norman, broke ranks to vote with Democrats. Still, lawmakers like Representative Marc Veasey, a Democrat from Texas, said the push for the files transcends party lines: 'The president makes these claims, and people want to make sure children aren't being abused.'
