• House Speaker Mike Johnson announces support for legislation to declassify and release remaining Epstein investigation materials
  • The move follows bipartisan pressure and a discharge petition gaining signatures, though it hasn't yet reached the threshold for automatic action
  • The DOJ maintains no evidence of an Epstein "client list" exists and warns that sensitive material remains sealed to protect victims' privacy

House Speaker Mike Johnson said Wednesday he will support and seek a floor vote on legislation to release the so-called "Epstein files," escalating a bipartisan push for transparency in one of the most scrutinized criminal cases in recent memory.

The announcement comes as a discharge petition for the "Epstein Files Transparency Act" (H.R.4405), sponsored by Rep. Ro Khanna and introduced on July 15, 2025, continues to gather signatures from both Democrats and Republicans. While the petition hasn't yet reached the threshold that would force automatic action, Johnson's endorsement significantly increases the likelihood of congressional action.

"The American people deserve complete transparency in this matter," Johnson said in a brief statement to reporters. "We will bring this to the floor for a vote."

The Justice Department, under Attorney General Pam Bondi, has maintained that it conducted a "thorough review" of Epstein-related materials and found no evidence of a "client list" or blackmail of prominent figures. In multiple briefings, DOJ officials have emphasized that much sensitive material remains sealed by court order specifically to protect victims' privacy.

This legislative push follows the House Oversight Committee's recent release of over 20,000 pages of documents from Epstein's estate, some of which mention high-profile individuals including former President Donald Trump. Those disclosures, while substantial, left many lawmakers and transparency advocates dissatisfied, fueling demands for more comprehensive access to investigative materials.

A staffer familiar with the negotiations, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the Speaker's office has been under increasing pressure from both MAGA-aligned conservatives and progressives who have criticized the Justice Department's handling of the disclosures. "There's genuine bipartisan concern about how this has been managed," the staffer said.

Victim advocacy groups have expressed cautious support for transparency efforts while warning about potential risks. "Any release must be carefully handled to avoid retraumatizing survivors," said one advocate who requested anonymity due to the sensitivity of ongoing discussions. "The focus should remain on justice, not spectacle."

The DOJ and FBI previously released some footage related to Epstein's 2019 death in custody, though missing footage and contradictory information have continued to fuel public speculation about the circumstances surrounding his death while in federal custody.

If the bill advances, it would likely intensify debates over the balance between public interest in understanding the full scope of Epstein's network and protecting the privacy of victims and the integrity of ongoing investigations. The Justice Department has signaled it would resist broad additional disclosures absent new court orders or evidence.

Correction: An earlier version of this article misstated the number of pages released by the House Oversight Committee. It was over 20,000 pages, not 20,000 documents.