When politicians start avoiding questions, it often signals trouble.
A number of Democrats are convinced that Republicans are leveraging the government shutdown to steer clear of deeper inquiries into President Trump’s connections to the late Jeffrey Epstein, who was known for his heinous crimes. In response, Speaker of the House Mike Johnson seems to be rejecting such notions.
“This is absurd,” Johnson stated. “It has nothing to do with that. It’s just another distraction.”
He added, “I strongly support full transparency.” He emphasized that “Donald Trump is not involved in this… He genuinely wants to help innocent victims, and he cares deeply about that. He wants full disclosure, which the Department of Justice has demonstrated.”
However, Congressman Thomas Massie didn’t buy that narrative. He took to social media to voice his opinion:
“Despite his claims, @SpeakerJohnson is doing everything possible to block Congress from voting on the Epstein Files Release Bill, including delaying the swearing-in of newly elected members and spread misinformation about the bill.”
Massie was referring to Congresswoman-elect Adelita Grijalva, who recently won a special election in Arizona to fill her late father’s seat. Even though her nameplate is already up, Republicans are holding back on having her take the oath.
Why the delay? Because her vote could make a significant difference.
Mr. Grijalva has expressed his intention to support a bipartisan effort to push for the release of the Justice Department’s Epstein documents, which might finally clarify who was aware of what regarding one of history’s most notorious predators.
Democrats allege that Johnson is delaying her swearing-in to postpone the vote. His office argues that this is simply standard procedure, but that defense doesn’t seem quite right. He’s the second Republican this year to take office while the House is not active.
This situation seems like a delay tactic shrouded in confusion.
Reportedly, behind the scenes, the White House along with Republican leadership are pressuring three Republican women—Reps. Lauren Boebert, Nancy Mace, and Marjorie Taylor Greene—to rescind their support for the discharge petition. Yet, those women are still pushing forward.
As Senator Chuck Schumer pointed out, “House Republicans seem more focused on safeguarding the Epstein files than on protecting the American public.”
The reality is that secrets don’t last forever. Each time leaders try to avoid transparency, public trust erodes a bit more, even if slowly.
If the Epstein files are truly just a “distraction,” then prove it. Release all the documents.
Because when those in power hide behind procedural delays, it only reinforces what many of us already fear: where there’s smoke, there’s fire. And it’s not going away anytime soon.
