'He was the only one…': House speaker Johnson walks back Trump FBI–Epstein claim; clarifies he reiterated attorney’s words – The Times of India

US home speaker Mike Johnson backtracked his declare that US President Donald Trump was an FBI informant within the Jeffrey Epstein case — a comment that confused even former Trump officers.Chatting with reporters on the Capitol on Thursday, Johnson stated, “He was an FBI informant to attempt to take these items down.” “The president is aware of ― and has nice sympathy for the ladies who suffered these unspeakable harms. It’s detestable to him,” he added.Additionally learn: ‘He was an FBI informant’: Home speaker Johnson defends Trump on Epstein; calls ‘Democrat hoax’ declare misrepresentedBy Sunday, Johnson’s workplace walked again the assertion. “The speaker is reiterating what the victims’ legal professional stated, which is that Donald Trump – who kicked Epstein out of Mar-a-Lago – was the one yet one more than a decade in the past keen to assist prosecutors expose Epstein for being a disgusting baby predator,” the assertion stated.Brad Edwards, an legal professional representing a number of Epstein victims, instructed reporters Wednesday that Trump had helped him examine claims in opposition to Epstein greater than a decade in the past, however had since shifted his stance. Edwards didn’t say whether or not Trump had cooperated with regulation enforcement, reported The Guardian.Johnson’s remarks got here as lawmakers in each events push the US justice division to launch extra details about Epstein, who pleaded responsible in 2008 to soliciting prostitution from a minor and died by suicide in 2019 whereas awaiting trial on sex-trafficking prices.A Home effort led by Republican Thomas Massie and Democrat Ro Khanna seeks to drive a vote on laws requiring the discharge of all Epstein-related information. The Home oversight committee has additionally issued subpoenas for extra data.On Wednesday, a number of victims spoke at a press convention urging lawmakers to assist the laws. Johnson has opposed the measure.The Trump administration beforehand pledged to analyze Epstein’s crimes, although victims’ legal professionals say they haven’t heard from the justice division. Whereas campaigning in 2024, Trump promised to launch a full listing of Epstein’s purchasers, however the division has stated no such listing exists. Trump has since dismissed the matter because the “Democrat Epstein Hoax.”Trump and Epstein had been longtime pals earlier than a falling-out round 2004. In July, Trump stated the break up got here after Epstein took staff from the Mar-a-Lago spa, together with Virginia Giuffre, who was later abused by Epstein.