Trump pulls the rug on Mike Johnson over the "Epstein files"

President Trump's stunning reversal on the "Epstein files" discharge petition has undercut months of work by Speaker Mike Johnson.Why it matters: The Epstein issue has plagued the House since the summer. Now the speaker is about to suffer a clear defeat over Reps. Thomas Massie's (R-Ky.) and Ro Khanna's (D-Calif.) discharge petition.Johnson cut the week short before the August recess after Democrats forced multiple votes on releasing the files. He then kept the House out of session for nearly two months — a move that, intentionally or not, delayed the discharge petition from reaching the floor."What I am opposed to is the reckless disregard that was used in drafting this discharge petition," Johnson told reporters on Wednesday.But on Sunday, Trump reversed months of calls to block an Epstein vote, saying Republicans should vote for it. On Monday, he said he'd sign the bill. Tuesday's vote is expected to pick up significant GOP support, including from Rep. Lisa McClain (R-Mich.), the highest-ranking woman in the House GOP leadership.Zoom in: Johnson's posture about the legislation hasn't changed, a source familiar with his thinking told Axios.But after months of railing against it, he opened the door Monday to supporting it."My support will be conditioned upon an agreement in the Senate that if indeed they process it, they've got to fix the terrible provisions in it," Johnson told reporters, adding that he hasn't worked to kill the bill.Between the lines: Johnson opposed the effort since its inception and privately urged his members to stay clear of it.He's called the petition "moot," arguing that the House Oversight Committee's investigation into late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein will yield more information.He's insisted the bill does not adequately protect Epstein's victims, though it directs the DOJ to redact identifying details and child sexual abuse materials.The bottom line: Rep. Brian Mast (R-Fla.) predicted the vote would be 400 something to zero.

Comments

World news

Canadians mistaking 'best before' and expiry dates are discarding hundreds of dollars in food: study

National Post

<a href="https://www.skysports.com/cricket/live-blog/12040/13473198/the-ashes-live-australia-vs-england-first-test-text-updates-and-latest-score-from-2025-26-series-opener-in-perth" target="_blank">The Ashes live: England struggle in second innings with seven wickets down</a>

about 6 hours ago

Benidorm tourist left scrubbing for days after huge mistake in bid to impress as Hulk

Mirror

Vanity Fair reportedly ‘looking at all the facts’ on Olivia Nuzzi following claims made in fiery article by her former fiancé

about 8 hours ago

Anyone expecting a showdown when Trump met Mamdani got a pretty big surprise

Skynews

Comments

Similar News

Ukraine’s allies to meet at G20 summit after Zelenskyy warns of ‘impossible choice’ over Trump plan to end war – live

How Trump’s peace plan for Ukraine has been entirely dictated by Putin

Ukraine loses land, no Nato and Russia back in the G8: What is in Trump’s 28-point plan to end the war?

Ukraine-Russia war latest: Zelensky says ‘most difficult moment in history’ as Trump sets peace deal deadline

Trump’s Ukraine deal is the only option – thanks to Europe

Africa's first G20 summit opens with an ambitious agenda and tries to move on from Trump's boycott

What Is Trump’s 28-Point Plan to End Russia’s War in Ukraine?

Trump changes tack on the Epstein files

Fox News station runs ads for handguns featuring Donald Trump’s likeness

Anyone expecting a showdown when Trump met Mamdani got a pretty big surprise

Marjorie Taylor Greene to resign from Congress after clash with Trump

Trump calls Marjorie Taylor Greene resignation ‘great news for the country’

From staunch Trump ally to ‘traitor’: key takeaways of Marjorie Taylor Greene’s career

Trump says he is ending immigration protections for Somalis in Minnesota

MTG announces she’s resigning from Congress after nasty public breakup with Trump

High-profile Republican Marjorie Taylor Greene to quit Congress after Trump feud

Five takeaways from Trump and Mamdani's surprisingly cordial meeting

Trump wields dealmaking diplomacy to shape US foreign policy

Trump says Ukraine will have to accept peace plan - but critics warn it has 'real problems'

5 head-turning moments from Mamdani and Trump's surprisingly cordial meeting

World news

Canadians mistaking 'best before' and expiry dates are discarding hundreds of dollars in food: study

Halifax throws its founder under the bus: The fall of Edward Cornwallis

Driver’s near miss after bald eagle drops cat through car windshield

Four guards sentenced in beating death of an handcuffed Black man at New York prison

Grizzly bear kills one and injures 11 in attack on schoolchildren in Canada

How Trump’s peace plan for Ukraine has been entirely dictated by Putin

Radiohead’s alt-rock sounds as fresh as ever, even after 40 years

England humiliated by Australia in two-day Ashes defeat

Elderly man dies in attack at Post Office cash machine as murder probe launched

Christmas turkey shortage fears as UK farms hit by 'super strain' bird flu

Agony of Cheryl Cole's former aide who died in horror 120mph storm

House of horrors where 'sex suicide pact Brit went to die' - 'frantic texts, beatings and video’

Ukraine-Russia war latest: Zelensky says ‘most difficult moment in history’ as Trump sets peace deal deadline

Ukraine loses land, no Nato and Russia back in the G8: What is in Trump’s 28-point plan to end the war?

I can’t afford to ski, but a Swiss-style chalet in Yorkshire was perfect

Seven helpful things to say to someone who is grieving

We were hit with a £148k inheritance tax bill when mum died at 97 – it’s disgusting

A big week for UK

Trump’s Ukraine deal is the only option – thanks to Europe

Monty Panesar: I tried to rattle Steve Smith – it worked

How to care for evergreen winter shrubs, according to an RHS expert

Judge who wore Elvis wig in court has left the building

Families of Yemeni aid workers detained by Houthi rebels despair for their fate

Frustrations grow in Russia over cellphone internet outages that disrupt daily life

Africa's first G20 summit opens with an ambitious agenda and tries to move on from Trump's boycott

'Cruelest death in history' where man's flesh was torn off and EATEN by prisoners

'I survived the Jim Jones mass suicide and I know why so many made appalling decision'

Teacher avoids £1m payout as she was 'unaware sexual abuse harmed students'

Crew evacuated safely after explosion ignites fire on ship at Los Angeles port

I lied about my £23k salary to fit in with my friends – was I wrong to do so?

‘The worst thing is to win big’ – Why Starmer can’t control his ‘feral’ MPs

At 90, I still cycle twice a week and lift weights – and you can too

I want to ditch Britain for Europe – new EU border rules are the last straw after Brexit

Bryan Cranston is magnificent in All My Sons

Five easy ways to change the way you think – and live happier in the process

The astonishing claim about why Chinese Embassy ‘spy base’ is being approved

How much you’re really saving with a supermarket loyalty card

I’ve been on dozens of solo holidays – here are seven of the best

Hitler, video games and Jaws: How extremists are selling racist T-shirts directly to you

Devastation left by Hurricane Melissa in Jamaica like a 'world war', says Olympic medallist

<a href="https://www.skysports.com/cricket/live-blog/12040/13473198/the-ashes-live-australia-vs-england-first-test-text-updates-and-latest-score-from-2025-26-series-opener-in-perth" target="_blank">The Ashes live: England struggle in second innings with seven wickets down</a>

Benidorm tourist left scrubbing for days after huge mistake in bid to impress as Hulk

Ukraine allies to hold talks at G20 on White House peace plan

What Is Trump’s 28-Point Plan to End Russia’s War in Ukraine?

Russian Exiles See Europe Visa Rule as Blow Against Them, Not Putin

Winnipeg Jets fall to Hurricanes 4-3 in Ehlers’ return to Winnipeg

Sinking McBarge in Fraser River blocking B.C. company’s chance to expand

Raptors advance to NBA Cup’s quarterfinals

Scarborough residents baffled by basketball net crackdown

Raptors advance to knockout round of NBA Cup

Fox News station runs ads for handguns featuring Donald Trump’s likeness

Read Marjorie Taylor Greene’s full four-page statement resigning from Congress: ‘I refuse to be a battered wife’

Vanity Fair reportedly ‘looking at all the facts’ on Olivia Nuzzi following claims made in fiery article by her former fiancé

Anyone expecting a showdown when Trump met Mamdani got a pretty big surprise

The Christian converts the US is deporting back to Iran

Tracking build-up of US military planes and warships near Venezuela

India's blind women cricketers chase history at first T20 World Cup