House Speaker Mike Johnson stated during an interview on “Meet the Press” Sunday that House Republicans are working to release all “credible” information on the Epstein files, while protecting their victims’ identities.
“Let me be absolutely clear, as we have been from the very beginning,” Johnson said. “House Republicans insist upon the release of all credible evidence and information related to Epstein in any way. However, we are also insisting on the protection of innocent victims, and our concern is that the [Thomas] Massie and [Ro] Khanna discharge petition is reckless in its drafting and presentation.”
The House Speaker emphasized the importance of the word “credible,” arguing that victims’ names and reputations should be protected from false and misleading information within the files. Johnson then accused Rep. Massie, R-Ky., and Rep. Khanna, D-Calif., of pushing the release of the Department of Justice’s files and ignoring the victims’ safety.
Massie and Khanna introduced the Epstein Files Transparency Act on July 15, advancing a discharge petition that, once it reached the necessary 218 signatures in the House, would force the release of the Department of Justice’s documents related to the Epstein files, thereby bypassing House leadership.
“Our main concern here, though, is the protection of the innocent victims. These are minors in many cases who are subjected to unspeakable crimes. Abject evil. They’ve already suffered great harm. We do not need their names being unmasked. The Massie and Khanna discharge petition does not have adequate protections, for example, in the way that it was drafted,” Johnson explained.
“They cite that they don’t want child abuse, sex abuse information uncovered, but they cite the wrong provision of the federal code, and so it makes it unworkable. It requires the DOJ to release grand jury testimony. They are prohibited by law from doing so. It is not the right approach.”
When asked about Epstein associate Ghislaine Maxwell receiving a possible pardon, Johnson said that “she should have a life sentence,” but ultimately that’s a decision for President Donald Trump to make.
“He [Trump] said he had not adequately considered that. I won’t get in front of him. That’s not my lane. My lane is to help direct and control the House of Representatives and to use every tool within our arsenal to get to the truth,” Johnson said.
“I’m going to say this as clearly and plainly and repeatedly as I can over and over. We are for maximum disclosure. We want all transparency. I trust the American people. I and the House Republicans believe that they should have all this information to be able to determine what they will. But we have to protect the innocent. And that’s the only safeguard here that we’ve got to be diligent about, and I’m insistent upon doing so.”