When politicians start ducking questions, it’s usually because they’re standing in the middle of a fire.
Many Democrats are convinced that Republicans are now using the government shutdown to stave off further scrutiny of President Trump’s relationship with the late pedophile, Jeffrey Epstein. Now, House Speaker Mike Johnson is pushing back against that connection.
“It’s totally absurd,” Johnson said. “This has nothing to do with that. It’s another red herring.”
“I’m for maximum disclosure,” he continued. “Donald Trump is not implicated in this. … He wants to protect the innocent victims. He’s very passionate about that. He’s for maximum disclosure and his DOJ has shown that.”
But Congressman Thomas Massie wasn’t buying that story. He posted on X:
“Contrary to what he says, @SpeakerJohnson is doing everything he can, including delaying the swearing in of the most recently elected member of Congress and spreading misinformation about the legislation, to block a vote in Congress on legislation to release the Epstein files.”
Massie’s talking about Representative-elect Adelita Grijalva, who won a special election in Arizona to fill her late father’s seat. A plaque with her name already hangs on the door — but Republicans are refusing to let her take the oath.
Why? Because her vote could be the one that tips the scale.
Grijalva has promised to back a bipartisan petition that would force a vote to release the Justice Department’s Epstein files — the documents that might finally reveal who knew what, and when, about one of the most powerful predators in modern history.
Democrats say Johnson is keeping her sidelined to stall that vote. His office insists it’s “standard practice.” But that excuse doesn’t hold water — he’s sworn in two Republicans this year when the House wasn’t even in session.
So let’s call this what it is: a stall tactic with a side of smoke and mirrors.
Behind the scenes, the White House and Republican leaders are reportedly pressuring three GOP women — Reps. Lauren Boebert, Nancy Mace and Marjorie Taylor Greene — to withdraw their signatures from the discharge petition. But for now, those women aren’t budging.
As Senator Chuck Schumer put it: “House Republicans care more about protecting the Epstein files than protecting the American people.”
Here’s the thing: secrecy has a shelf life. Every time leaders try to dodge transparency, public trust burns a little slower — but it still burns.
If the Epstein files are really nothing more than a “red herring,” then prove it. Release the files — all of them, everything.
Because when people in power hide behind process and timing, it only confirms what we already suspect — that where there’s smoke, there’s fire. And this one isn’t going out anytime soon.
Lindsey Granger is a News Nation contributor and co-host of The Hill’s commentary show “Rising.” This column is an edited transcription of her on-air commentary.