In Washington, the ongoing fallout from the Jeffrey Epstein investigation has brought the House of Representatives to a near halt. This week, Republican leaders opted to end the session early, shifting any potential votes on further revelations to September amid pressure from some members of the GOP to push forward with disclosures linked to the infamous financier and convicted sex offender.
On Tuesday, it was announced that the last votes for the week would take place on Wednesday, after which lawmakers could leave for their summer recess. Concerns among GOP leaders that Democrats would attempt to force votes on Epstein-related materials led to the cancellation of House Rules Committee meetings on Monday. Since no rules were passed, any legislation would need a supermajority of two-thirds to approve.
Rep. Ralph Norman (R.-S.C.) expressed frustration with the leadership’s delay on a nonbinding resolution he proposed, emphasizing the need for prompt action. “The American people deserve action, not excuses,” he stated on X, urging a vote before the recess to swiftly resolve these issues.
The tension in Washington heightened following the Justice Department’s recent decision not to disclose additional documents tied to the FBI’s inquiry into Epstein. An unsigned memo concluded that there were no relevant lists of Epstein’s clients or significant findings to be made public. The FBI previously confirmed a medical examiner’s statement that Epstein had tragically taken his own life in jail back in 2019 while facing serious charges related to sex trafficking.
Some of President Biden’s allies perceived this lack of transparency as a betrayal. Adds to the chorus are several Democrats calling on the administration to reveal any pertinent information it may hold regarding Epstein and various high-profile figures associated with him. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D.-N.Y.) remarked, “Donald Trump and House Republicans can release the Epstein files today, yet choose not to. What is being hidden from the American people?”
Earlier that day, a senior official from the Justice Department shared his intention to interview Ghislaine Maxwell, a long-time associate of Epstein, who is currently serving a 20-year sentence for sex trafficking crimes.
Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche highlighted that if Maxwell possesses any knowledge of criminal activities against victims, the FBI and DOJ will undoubtedly want to hear her account. He has been in touch with her attorney to discuss potential discussions with federal prosecutors soon.
Maxwell’s attorney, David Oscar Markus, responded via X, confirming they are indeed having talks with the government and assuring that Maxwell will share information truthfully, thanking President Trump for his commitment to uncovering the truth in this case.
Meanwhile, the House Oversight Committee approved a move led by Republicans to issue a subpoena for Maxwell.
Speaker Mike Johnson (R.-La.) has called for “full transparency” while also giving the Trump administration space to navigate the situation. He noted that the administration has shown interest in releasing grand-jury transcripts related to Epstein and Maxwell’s cases. Judges in charge of these cases expressed their intention to address the release requests swiftly but asked for further information from representatives involved.
Johnson criticized attempts led by Rep. Thomas Massie (R.-Ky.) for bipartisan support to push release of Epstein-related documents, arguing such action should have come during the Biden administration. He added, “We won’t engage in political games over this matter.”
Prosecutors allege Maxwell played a significant role in targeting vulnerable victims for Epstein and at times participated in their abuse. Currently, she has appealed her conviction to the U.S. Supreme Court. At her sentencing in 2022, she described Epstein as manipulative and controlling, admitting her regret over meeting him.
Maxwell, now 63, is serving her time at FCI Tallahassee, a low-security federal correctional institution, and is expected to be released in 2037 according to the Bureau of Prisons.
Blanche, who once defended Trump as his lawyer before moving into government service, remarked on X that the Justice Department is unfazed by difficult truths and remains committed to pursuing justice based on factual evidence.
Last week saw the removal of Maurene Comey, one of the attorneys at the Southern District of New York involved in the Epstein and Maxwell cases, a move that became news given that she is the daughter of ex-FBI Director James Comey, who famously clashed with Trump in 2017.
Allegations regarding Epstein’s sexual abuse of minors surfaced in 2006, resulting in his arrest in Florida that same year. He faced a second arrest in 2019 under federal sex-trafficking charges.
It’s known that Epstein and Trump were acquaintances in the 1990s and early 2000s, having appeared in social events together, including with Maxwell and Melania Trump, though reports indicate their friendship soured later. Trump has claimed that they lost contact long before Epstein’s problematic legal history began, asserting he hadn’t spoken to Epstein in fifteen years by the time of his last arrest.
In the past week, a Wall Street Journal article mentioned a controversial letter featuring Trump’s name in a 2003 birthday album for Epstein, prompting a strong denial from Trump. He even filed a defamation lawsuit against the Journal for this article. A spokesperson for Dow Jones maintained confidence in the accuracy of their reporting and announced intentions to defend against any legal claims.
On Tuesday, Trump stated he wasn’t aware of plans by the Justice Department to interview Maxwell but considered it an appropriate step. He described the emphasis on the issue as part of a “witch hunt,” continuing a theme of perceived political targeting.
For any inquiries, you can reach Sadie Gurman at sadie.gurman@wsj.com and Jasmine Li at jasmine.li@wsj.com
