5 hours ago
Last Updated:July 16, 2025, 18:22 IST
US House Speaker Mike Johson made the comments while speaking to right-wing podcaster Benny Johnson.
Mike Johnson breaks with Trump, insists DOJ and Bondi come clean on Epstein client list. (IMAGE: REUTERS FILE)
US House Speaker Mike Johnson said the documents related to financier and sex predator Jeffrey Epstein are a “delicate matter" and that these matters should be known to public, urging the Justice Department to release the documents.
“It’s a very delicate subject, but we should put everything out there and let the people decide. I agree with the sentiment that we need to put it out there," the Republican was quoted as saying by the The Guardian.
The remarks mark a shift in the stance of the US House Speaker, who enjoyed tremendous backing from US President Donald Trump, to be in the position he is now. However, he chose to point out that American right-wing and Conservatives have grown tired with the opaque nature of the case.
The Justice Department last week concluded that Epstein died by suicide and that no list of clients would be made public, drawing backlash from the MAGA faithful. The backlash only grew stronger after Donald Trump, who previously campaigned on exposing Epstein’s network, appeared to downplay the issue.
“One year ago our Country was DEAD, now it’s the ‘HOTTEST’ Country anywhere in the World. Let’s keep it that way, and not waste Time and Energy on Jeffrey Epstein, somebody that nobody cares about," Trump posted on Truth Social, enraging his supporters.
Johnson also pointed to Attorney General Pam Bondi’s earlier comments on Fox News, where she claimed Epstein’s “client list" was “sitting on my desk right now to review."
“She needs to come forward and explain that to everybody," Johnson said. “We need the DoJ focusing on the major priorities. So let’s get this thing resolved."
Trump defended Bondi but suggested that some information might still come out.
“She’s handled it very well, and it’s going to be up to her. Whatever she thinks is credible, she should release," he said.
Bondi, however, sidestepped Epstein-related questions during a separate press conference on fentanyl overdoses.
Shankhyaneel Sarkar is a senior subeditor at News18. He covers international affairs, where he focuses on breaking news to in-depth analyses. He has over five years of experience during which he has covered sev...Read More
Shankhyaneel Sarkar is a senior subeditor at News18. He covers international affairs, where he focuses on breaking news to in-depth analyses. He has over five years of experience during which he has covered sev...
Read More
Washington D.C., United States of America (USA)
First Published:News world House Speaker Johnson Breaks Rank With Trump Over Epstein Files: ‘Put Everything Out There’
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