Johnson says Bondi needs to 'come forward and explain' handling of Epstein files

[ad_1] Home Speaker Mike Johnson on Tuesday urged Legal professional Normal Pam Bondi to "come ahead and clarify" the Trump administration's dealing with of Jeffrey Epstein recordsdata.

In an interview with podcaster Benny Johnson, the speaker urged Bondi to additional make clear her previous remark about reviewing Epstein's alleged "shopper listing."

"Pam Bondi, I do not know when she initially made the assertion. I believe she was speaking about paperwork, as I understood, that they have been on her desk. I do not know that she was particular a few listing or no matter, however she wants to come back ahead and clarify that to all people," Johnson stated.

"I like Pam. I imply, I believe she's finished an excellent job. We want the DOJ specializing in the foremost priorities," Johnson stated in the course of the interview.

Speaker of the Home Mike Johnson arrives for a information convention on the Republican Nationwide Committee headquarters in Washington, D.C., on July 15, 2025.

J. Scott Applewhite/AP

Bondi got here underneath fireplace over her feedback to Fox Information in February when requested about Epstein's alleged "shopper listing." She advised the outlet on the time, "It is sitting on my desk proper now to evaluation."

After the Justice Division and FBI final week acknowledged they discovered no proof the deceased financier saved a "shopper listing" of associates whom he blackmailed or conspired with to victimize dozens of girls, Bondi stated her feedback to Fox Information have been merely referring to a "file" on Epstein.

That rationalization, although, has finished little to quell outrage from MAGA supporters on the administration's dealing with of Epstein.

Johnson additionally weighed in on rising calls from Republican lawmakers to have Epstein's convicted affiliate, Ghislaine Maxwell, testify earlier than Congress.

"I am for transparency. We're intellectually constant on this" Johnson stated when requested about Maxwell probably testifying earlier than Congress.

Johnson stated whereas he's not "aware about information" and "this is not my lane," he additionally stated "we have to put it on the market."

Sen. Josh Hawley speaks to the media, whereas he exits a Senate GOP lunch, on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., June 28, 2025.

Annabelle Gordon/Reuters, FILE

"We'll see what occurs. I do belief the president. I do know his coronary heart and head is in the fitting place. I do not query that in any respect. I'm satisfied they'll type this out," the speaker stated.

Tennessee Republican Rep. Tim Burchett advised ABC Information he's "not comfortable" with how Bondi has dealt with the Epstein matter. Like Johnson, he known as on Bondi to elucidate her previous feedback on the "shopper listing."

"You understand, I do know it is the 1,000-pound gorilla within the room, however I am not comfortable. No one's comfortable about it. No one is aware of what is going on on," Burchett stated.

Later in a letter despatched Tuesday, Burchett known as on Home Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer to ask Maxwell to testify in a public listening to.

"Ought to Ms. Maxwell refuse the invitation, I encourage you to make use of subpoena powers," Burchett wrote within the letter, saying the American individuals have "questions" concerning the Epstein case. "It's properly past time these questions are answered," he stated.

Republican Sen. Josh Hawley of Missouri stated the Epstein recordsdata needs to be made public and instantly known as for Maxwell to seem earlier than the Senate Judiciary Committee.

"I believe all these things should be public. I imply, I believe the entire all of the paperwork, ought to all be public," Hawley stated. "I believe we would all should be out within the open. I am an enormous fan of declassifying-- I believe this is not technically labeled. It is simply, you realize, shut maintain for prosecution, however I believe we should put all of it on the market."

"I believe it is cheap for the American individuals to ask who he [Epstein] intercourse trafficked these younger girls to -- if anyone in addition to himself," added Louisiana Republican Sen. John Kennedy. "And if there have been others concerned, why have not they been prosecuted? That is a wonderfully comprehensible query, and I believe the Justice Division goes to should reply it."

Late Tuesday afternoon, Kentucky GOP Rep. Thomas Massie stated he plans to pursue a procedural gambit to set off a Home vote on laws that will drive the discharge of the "full" Epstein recordsdata.

Massie plans to supply a discharge petition, which requires 218 signatures and permits the vast majority of the chamber to bypass GOP leaders. There would solely be flooring motion if the decision receives sufficient assist. A ready interval of seven legislative days kicks off as soon as the petition has sufficient signatures, so this might grow to be a headache for GOP leaders after August recess.

"All of us should know what's within the Epstein recordsdata, who's implicated, and the way deep this corruption goes. Individuals have been promised justice and transparency. We're introducing a discharge petition to drive a vote within the US Home of Representatives on releasing the COMPLETE recordsdata," Massie stated in a publish on X.

GOP Rep. Lauren Boebert of Colorado, additionally chatting with the podcaster Benny Johnson in a separate interview, stated she would assist making a particular counsel to research the Epstein matter.

"There must be a particular investigation into this if we aren't going to be offered info," she stated.

Boebert additionally had a suggestion for who ought to lead the probe.

"Matt Gaetz as a particular counsel? Completely," she stated. Gaetz, a former GOP congressman from Florida, was as soon as the topic of a multiyear federal sex-trafficking investigation. Gaetz had lengthy denied any wrongdoing and the probe ended with no fees towards Gaetz.

In the meantime, Democrats within the Home on Tuesday tried to drive a vote and debate on California Rep. Ro Khanna's modification that will have demanded the discharge of all of the Epstein recordsdata. Their effort failed by only one vote after an almost 45-minute vote.

Home Judiciary Democrats penned a letter to committee chairman Jim Jordan on Tuesday demanding a listening to with Trump administration officers from the DOJ and FBI on the Epstein recordsdata.

Jordan, although, publicly expressed unwavering assist

"I've whole confidence in President Tump and his crew," Jordan advised ABC Information when requested if he had any questions concerning the Epstein case or if Bondi mishandled the state of affairs.

<img alt="PHOTO: Rep. Jim Jordan prepares for a television interview during a procedural vote on the One Big Beautiful Bill Act in the U.S. Capitol on July 2, 2025, in Washington, D.C." class="hsDdd NDJZt sJeUN IJwXl vBqtr KrDt itslR SjwtZ hakZw HlUVI " data-testid="prism-image" draggable="false" loading="lazy" src="https://i.abcnewsfe.com/a/b52e6723-7d1f-4e85-9e30-ee4fff1b663d/jim-jordan-gty-jt-250715_1752612189686_hpEmbed_3x2.jpg"/> Rep. Jim Jordan prepares for a tv interview throughout a procedural vote on the One Massive Stunning Invoice Act within the U.S. Capitol on July 2, 2025, in Washington, D.C.