Tensions inside Congress escalated Tuesday as House Speaker Mike Johnson sharply criticized Democrats over what he described as a sudden and opportunistic push for the release of Jeffrey Epstein files. While lawmakers from both parties have recently embraced the demand for transparency, Johnson argued that Democrats’ timing and motives tell a much different story — one he believes the public should scrutinize closely.
His comments came during the weekly House Republican leadership press conference, where he addressed what he sees as inconsistencies in the left’s newfound urgency.
Speaker Johnson: “They had the files for four years and did nothing.”
Standing before reporters, Johnson accused Democrats of attempting to reinvent themselves as champions of transparency despite previously ignoring the subject entirely.
“Democrats had every one of the Epstein files in their possession for the four long years of the Biden Administration,” Johnson said. “Not a single one of the people who are so loud and animated right now ever said anything about it.”
Johnson emphasized that the Department of Justice under President Biden had complete access to the Epstein materials — but made no effort to release them publicly, nor to push for congressional intervention.
The sudden interest, he said, raises serious questions.
“Why now? Why suddenly are they so interested?”
https://twitter.com/SpeakerJohnson/status/1990888093633982823
Johnson Links Epstein Push to Broader Pattern of Democratic Denials
In a broader critique of the previous administration, Johnson tied Democrats’ current posture to what he called a long list of misleading assurances they offered during Biden’s tenure:
-
Claiming the border crisis “didn’t exist”
-
Calling inflation “transitory” even as prices climbed
-
Rejecting concerns about President Biden’s physical and cognitive decline
-
Dismissing voter concerns about economic instability
“They told the American people not to believe what we could see with our own eyes,” Johnson said. “And now, overnight, the same cast of characters has taken a sudden and urgent interest in the Epstein investigation.”
To Johnson, this is less about justice for victims and more about political positioning as fallout from the investigation grows.
Johnson: Republicans Are Focused on Transparency and Protecting Victims
Johnson insisted that Republicans support a full accounting of Epstein’s crimes — but stressed that transparency must be paired with responsibility.
“This was an unspeakable tragedy,” he said. “We have great compassion for the victims. They deserve justice, long delayed.”
He warned that a rushed, unguarded release of all material — as some Democrats support — could:
-
Expose victim identities
-
Publish unverified allegations
-
Trigger lawsuits
-
Unfairly harm innocent people whose names appear tangentially in the files
“We must be thorough, deliberate, and focused,” the speaker said, arguing that Republicans are working “in earnest” to balance truth and privacy.
Oversight Committee Has Already Released 65,000+ Epstein Documents
To bolster his argument, Johnson highlighted the bipartisan work of the House Oversight Committee, which he said has already released more Epstein-related records than the current discharge petition demands.
According to Johnson, more than 65,000 documents are now publicly available, including:
-
Epstein’s flight logs
-
Financial ledgers
-
Daily calendars
-
Estate records
-
Correspondence
-
Travel documentation
“These documents give the American people insights that have never been available before,” Johnson said. “And we’re continuing this effort carefully and responsibly.”
Johnson Says Democrats’ Petition Contains “Dangerous Errors”
While the discharge petition forced a floor vote, Johnson argued it suffers from significant flaws and oversights.
1. Lacks victim privacy safeguards
Johnson noted letters from victims urging the court to protect identifying details, which the petition does not properly address.
2. Risks releasing unverified claims
He warned that Epstein’s files include names of people who may have had no connection to wrongdoing — publication could “ruin the reputations of completely innocent people.”
3. Cites the wrong section of federal law
According to Johnson, this technical error could force the government to release child sexual abuse material unless redaction protections are added.
4. Exposes law enforcement sources and informants
The petition, he said, does not safeguard:
-
Whistleblowers
-
Confidential informants
-
Undercover agents
“Imagine the chilling effect that would have on future investigations,” Johnson said.
5. Threatens national security protocols
Johnson emphasized that declassification has always been handled by the originating agency — not Congress on a fixed deadline.
“This ignores the principle that declassification should always rest with the agency that originated the intelligence,” he said.
Political Motives? Johnson Says Democrats Are Playing a Dangerous Game
Johnson repeatedly asked why Democrats are showing urgency now, after years of silence.
“None of them held press conferences. None demanded release of the documents. Under Biden’s DOJ, when they prosecuted Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell, not a single one of these Democrats ever made noise about it.”
He suggested that Democrats’ sudden shift coincides with increasing revelations about:
-
Virgin Islands Delegate Stacey Plaskett’s communications with Epstein
-
Democrat-linked individuals appearing in the files
-
New scrutiny from Republican-led investigations
And he implied Democrats may be positioning themselves to control the narrative before more damaging disclosures are released.
A High-Stakes Transparency Fight With National Implications
The battle over the Epstein files has become one of the most politically charged transparency fights in recent memory. It intersects:
-
Victim advocacy
-
DOJ accountability
-
Bipartisan mistrust
-
High-profile political figures
-
Intelligence community concerns
-
Public demand for answers
Johnson’s remarks signal that the debate is far from over — even as Congress pushes toward the largest forced document release in the Epstein saga to date.
While Democrats frame the move as necessary transparency, Johnson argues that their approach is careless, potentially dangerous, and politically motivated.
The coming weeks — especially once the Justice Department begins releasing files — will determine which narrative prevails.
Sarah Mitchell is a bestselling novelist recognized for her insightful and emotionally resonant stories that explore the complexities of human relationships. Originally from Denver, Colorado, Sarah grew up in a family of teachers who nurtured her curiosity and love for storytelling. She studied psychology at Stanford University, where she became fascinated by the intricacies of human behavior—an interest that would later shape her writing career. Sarah’s novels are praised for their nuanced characters, intricate plots, and ability to capture the subtle tensions that define love, friendship, and family ties. Her breakthrough novel, The Spaces Between Us, became an instant bestseller, lauded for its honest portrayal of strained family relationships and the fragile bonds that hold people together. Since then, she has published several works that continue to captivate audiences around the world. Outside of her writing career, Sarah is passionate about mental health advocacy and often partners with organizations to promote awareness and support for those struggling with emotional well-being. Her personal life is quieter—she enjoys hiking in the Colorado mountains, practicing yoga, and spending time with close friends. With each new book, Sarah Mitchell cements her reputation as a writer who illuminates the beauty and struggles of human connection.
