Republicans defend Epstein resolution as Democrats push tougher bill

House Republicans are leaning on the message of "transparency" as they face mounting pressure over the handling of Jeffrey Epstein-related documents. Speaker Mike Johnson defended a non-binding resolution advanced by the Rules Committee, saying it allowed GOP members to publicly align with President Trump's stance on releasing credible evidence.

Democrats, however, slammed the resolution as toothless. Rep. Jim McGovern called it "a fig leaf," accusing Republicans of using symbolic gestures to avoid meaningful action. A separate Democratic bill, backed by nine Republicans, would compel the Justice Department to release more Epstein case materials.

Johnson's move came amid internal GOP tension, with some members threatening to support the Democratic proposal unless leadership showed progress. The episode underscores growing bipartisan frustration over the lack of disclosure in the high-profile sex trafficking case.

Johnson defends gop transparency stance on Epstein files

House Speaker Mike Johnson declined to commit to a full House vote on a non-binding resolution urging the release of more Jeffrey Epstein-related documents, despite its advancement by the Rules Committee. Johnson said the move was intended to allow Republican members to publicly affirm their support for transparency, amid pressure from Democrats who had forced politically sensitive votes on the issue throughout the week.

"There's no daylight between us and the White House," Johnson said early Friday, emphasizing GOP alignment with President Trump's approach to the case. He added that the committee vote was intended to "make it crystal clear" that Republicans back releasing the files.

Johnson also celebrated the House's passage of a spending cuts package, saying he was "delighted" to send it to the president's desk.

Bannon says WSJ report reignites Trump's base over Epstein saga

Steve Bannon, a key figure in the MAGA movement and former Trump aide, said Friday that The Wall Street Journal's report on a birthday letter allegedly sent by Donald Trump to Jeffrey Epstein has galvanized the president's supporters. The story, which Trump denies, had previously caused friction within his base over the administration's handling of the Epstein case.

"We are finally on offense," Bannon told CNN, praising Trump's directive to Attorney General Pam Bondi to seek the release of grand jury testimony. He called the move a "good start" but urged Trump to "stay on offense" and continue attacking his critics.

Bannon also aimed Rupert Murdoch, owner of the Journal, accusing him of trying to undermine Trump. He said Murdoch's actions have backfired and now serve to unify Trump's supporters. The president has threatened to sue Murdoch and the newspaper over the report, which includes a lewd birthday message allegedly bearing Trump's signature.

WATCH: Speaker Mike Johnson blasts 'debacle' over Epstein File amendment

Pelosi shifts stance on Epstein files amid budget debate

Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi initially dismissed renewed focus on Jeffrey Epstein's case as a "distraction" during a Thursday MSNBC interview, urging lawmakers to prioritize the $9 billion recissions package passed later that night. The package rolls back funding for public media and foreign aid, marking a rare approval of a presidential rescission request.

However, hours later, Pelosi reversed course in a post on X, calling for the release of documents related to Epstein. "Everyone on the Epstein list must be held accountable no matter who they are," she wrote.

Pelosi also criticized the Trump administration's push to reopen Alcatraz prison, calling it another diversion from pressing economic issues. Her comments reflect growing Democratic frustration with what they view as political theatrics overshadowing legislative priorities.

Trump Jr defends father over Epstein birthday letter claims

Donald Trump Jr. pushed back Friday against a Wall Street Journal report alleging his father sent a lewd birthday letter to Jeffrey Epstein in 2003. The letter, reportedly framed by a hand-drawn outline of a naked woman, included the phrase: "A pal is a wonderful thing. Happy Birthday – and may every day be another wonderful secret".

In a post on X, Trump Jr. called the story "insanity" and mocked the idea that his father would doodle such a card. "In 47 years I've never seen him doodle once," he wrote, adding, "Give me a break with the fake 'journalisming.'"

He also dismissed claims that the word "enigma" in the letter was out of character for Trump, though footage from 2015 shows the former president using the term publicly.

Federal secrets Republican rallies behind Trump on Epstein

Representative Anna Paulina Luna, a Florida Republican who leads a House task force on declassifying federal secrets, rallied behind President Donald Trump over the Jeffrey Epstein issue, accusing some of his supporters of backstabbing.

Amid a MAGA backlash over his administration's handling of the release of Epstein case files, Trump, seeking to extinguish the disquiet, said he had instructed Attorney General Pam Bondi to produce "all pertinent Grand Jury testimony, subject to Court approval."

Trump, who was once friendly with the disgraced financier and convicted sex offender, also said he would be suing The Wall Street Journal after it reported that he had written Epstein a bawdy birthday letter in 2003. Trump says the letter is a fake.

"While others were busy stabbing President Trump in the back, we were working overtime behind the scenes—in the Oval Office," Luna, who heads the House Oversight Committee task force on federal secrets, posted to X.

Luna, who is pushing for greater government transparency and recently helped to secure the release of secret files related to the JFK assassination, also shared a photo of her with Trump and her husband.

"This photo was taken earlier today, and no, it's not a coincidence. This is 4D chess, not checkers," Luna said.

Read the full story by Shane Croucher on Newsweek.

House GOP floats symbolic Epstein resolution amid mounting pressure

House Republicans introduced a nonbinding resolution Thursday night in response to growing demands for transparency in the Jeffrey Epstein case. The measure, which carries no legal force, was crafted to appease both far-right calls for disclosure and Trump, who has dismissed the controversy as a "hoax."

The resolution emerged after hours of internal GOP debate, which had delayed action on Trump's $9 billion funding cut proposal. Speaker Mike Johnson said Republicans support releasing "credible evidence," but Democrats criticized the move as hollow. Rep. Jim McGovern called it a "glorified press release," while Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries accused Trump and MAGA Republicans of fueling the conspiracy narrative.

Democrats have proposed binding legislation, backed by nine Republicans, to compel the Justice Department to release Epstein-related documents. Meanwhile, Trump authorized Attorney General Pam Bondi to seek court approval to unseal grand jury testimony, though legal experts say that would likely yield limited disclosures.

Anti-Trump group launches ad blitz over Epstein ties

The Republican Accountability Project, a group of former Trump voters turned critics, has launched a six-figure ad campaign spotlighting Donald Trump's past connection to Jeffrey Epstein. The initiative includes billboards and TV ads in high-visibility locations such as Times Square, Washington DC, and near Trump's golf clubs in New Jersey.

One ad features past praise exchanged between Trump and Epstein, implying deeper ties to the disgraced financier. The campaign also includes targeted spots on Fox News in Bedminster, New Jersey. Billboards ask pointedly: "Trump, why won't you release the Epstein files?"

The group says the effort is aimed at pressuring Trump to fulfill his campaign promise to declassify documents related to Epstein's sex trafficking case.

Trump denies Epstein birthday letter amid media firestorm

AWall Street Journal report alleges that Trump sent Jeffrey Epstein a suggestive birthday letter in 2003, sparking backlash and legal threats. The letter, reportedly part of a birthday album compiled by Ghislaine Maxwell, features typewritten text framed by a hand-drawn outline of a naked woman and concludes with the line: "Happy Birthday — and may every day be another wonderful secret."

Trump has denied writing the letter, calling it "fake" and threatening to sue the Journal, News Corp, and Rupert Murdoch. He claims the outlet ignored warnings from his team and published a defamatory story. The Justice Department previously reviewed the album during its investigation into Epstein and Maxwell but has not confirmed the letter's authenticity.

Aronberg says Trump's Epstein move won't satisfy base

Former Palm Beach County state attorney Dave Aronberg told CNN that Trump's directive to release grand jury testimony in the Jeffrey Epstein case is unlikely to appease his supporters. In an interview with anchor Jessica Dean, Aronberg said the transcripts would be heavily redacted and contain little new information, noting that grand juries are designed to determine probable cause, not expose systemic wrongdoing.

Aronberg emphasized that the public is demanding broader access to Epstein-related files held by the Department of Justice, not limited to grand jury records. He also reiterated that "there is no client list," despite persistent speculation fueled by Trump allies. While some documents and images remain unreleased due to privacy rules, Aronberg argued that transparency is the only way to resolve the controversy.

He added that Trump's move may be more about optics than substance, and warned that the administration's past promotion of conspiracy theories is now backfiring.

Democrat slams Trump's Epstein testimony move as lawmakers demand full disclosure

Rep. Dan Goldman (D-N.Y.) dismissed President Trump's directive to release grand jury testimony in the Jeffrey Epstein case, calling it a diversion from more revealing evidence. "Nice try," Goldman posted on X, arguing that such testimony would only cover Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell, not potential high-profile associates.

Goldman, a former federal prosecutor, emphasized that videos, emails, and witness interviews are more likely to contain incriminating material. His comments come as bipartisan momentum builds behind a discharge petition led by Reps. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) and Ro Khanna (D-Calif.) to force a House vote on releasing all Epstein-related files.

GOP leaders are considering a nonbinding resolution to address mounting pressure from their base, while Trump allies shift focus to denying a Wall Street Journal report alleging he sent Epstein a suggestive birthday letter. Trump has threatened legal action against the outlet.

DOJ, FBI say no Epstein client list exists

The U.S. Department of Justice and FBI concluded in a July 7 memo that convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein did not maintain an incriminating "client list," nor did investigators find credible evidence that he blackmailed high-profile individuals. The findings follow years of speculation and conspiracy theories surrounding Epstein's connections to powerful figures.

The review was prompted in part by campaign promises from President Trump to declassify Epstein-related files. Earlier this year, Attorney General Pam Bondi claimed on Fox News that a client list was "sitting on my desk," though the White House later clarified she was referring to general case documents.

Vice President JD Vance also fueled expectations by publicly calling for the release of the list before the 2024 election. However, the DOJ and FBI's joint investigation found no basis to pursue charges against uncharged third parties and reaffirmed that Epstein died by suicide in 2019.

Trump deflects Epstein File demands, blames Democrats

As pressure mounts for the release of court documents related to Jeffrey Epstein, Trump responded Thursday with a pointed social media post, accusing Democrats of withholding evidence. "If there was a 'smoking gun' on Epstein, why didn't the Dems...use it? BECAUSE THEY HAD NOTHING!!!" he wrote.

Trump's remarks come amid bipartisan calls for transparency and growing frustration from his own supporters over the administration's handling of the case. While Attorney General Pam Bondi has pledged to seek the release of grand jury transcripts, legal experts caution that such disclosures require judicial approval and could take months to process.

The Justice Department recently said that no client list exists and reaffirmed Epstein's 2019 death as a suicide, further fueling skepticism and demands for accountability.

What Epstein grand jury testimony could include

As bipartisan momentum builds in Congress to release the grand jury materials related to Jeffrey Epstein, legal experts are urging the public to manage its expectations.

Lawmakers like Representatives Ro Khanna (D-Calif.) and Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) argue that full transparency is necessary to rebuild public trust and shed light on how prosecutors handled one of the most high-profile criminal investigations in recent memory.

But legal analysts—including former prosecutors from both liberal and conservative camps—caution that the public is unlikely to find a "smoking gun" or sweeping narrative implicating a wider circle of powerful figures.

Instead, they say, the documents are more likely to contain technical, narrowly focused testimony tied directly to charges against Epstein and his close associate, Ghislaine Maxwell.

Read the full story by Robert Alexander on Newsweek.

What a grand jury testimony really means

Grand jury testimony is a legal process in which sworn evidence is presented to a panel of citizens tasked with evaluating whether there's sufficient cause to indict someone on criminal charges. Unlike a trial, these proceedings do not determine guilt or innocence; they assess whether a case should proceed.

Testimony may come from a range of sources, including victims, witnesses, law enforcement, or even suspects. The goal is to establish probable cause, not to uncover systemic misconduct or produce a full public record. Grand jury transcripts typically contain factual statements and legal instructions but omit deliberations and broader investigative context.

Trump supporters renew demands for Epstein Files release

Calls to declassify court documents related to Jeffrey Epstein's sex trafficking investigation are intensifying among President Trump's own supporters. During a recent visit by Vice President JD Vance to West Pittston, Pennsylvania, locals greeted him with signs reading "WHERE IS THE LIST???"—a reference to Epstein's rumored client list.

Many backers say Trump campaigned on promises to release the files and now must deliver. "We put you in office, you ran on this platform," truck driver Steven Taylor told the BBC. "We demand it. There needs to be accountability."

Others remain optimistic, believing Trump will act when the time is right. "There's a reason for it. They'll come out," said Ed DeLucca, 72, while urging MAGA factions to "make peace."

Some supporters blame Democrats for failing to release more information during Biden's presidency, accusing them of politicizing the issue. The pressure adds to growing tensions within Trump's base over the administration's handling of the Epstein case.

WATCH: Hakeem Jeffries backs Epstein File release for full transparency, slams Republicans

Trump faces MAGA backlash over Epstein comments

Trump's recent dismissal of the Epstein investigation as a "hoax" has drawn sharp criticism from many within his MAGA base. While Trump urged supporters to focus on his administration's achievements, prominent allies, such as Speaker Mike Johnson and Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, have called for greater transparency or the appointment of a special prosecutor.

Influencers, including Lara Trump, Michael Flynn, and Mike Cernovich, have also voiced disappointment over the administration's decision not to release further documents. Despite the pushback, a CNN poll shows Trump's GOP approval remains high at 88%, even as 40% express dissatisfaction with the Epstein file disclosures.

The clash marks a rare split within Trump's loyal coalition, spotlighting growing tension over one of his most controversial political reversals.

House GOP advances symbolic Epstein resolution amid mounting pressure

House Republicans introduced a nonbinding resolution Thursday night calling for greater transparency in the Jeffrey Epstein investigation, as backlash from their base and Democratic lawmakers intensified. The measure, which does not compel the Justice Department to release additional records, was crafted to signal support for transparency while aligning with Trump, who has dismissed the controversy as a "hoax."

The resolution emerged after hours of internal GOP debate that delayed a vote on Trump's $9 billion funding cut proposal. Speaker Mike Johnson said Republicans "agree with the president" and want "credible evidence" to be released, but Democrats criticized the move as toothless.

Rep. Jim McGovern called it a "glorified press release," while Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries accused Trump and MAGA Republicans of fueling the conspiracy narrative.

Democrats have proposed binding legislation, backed by nine Republicans, to force the release of Epstein-related documents. Meanwhile, Trump authorized Attorney General Pam Bondi to seek court approval to unseal grand jury testimony, though legal experts say that would likely yield limited disclosures.

Donald Trump's drawings under scrutiny over Epstein birthday letter

A number of drawings produced by President Donald Trump have resurfaced after it was reported that he sent a "bawdy" letter and sketch to Jeffrey Epstein to mark his 50th birthday.

In response to a Wall Street Journal report that he sent a letter and sketch of a naked woman to Epstein in 2003, five years before the financier was convicted of child sexual abuse, Trump said, "I never wrote a picture in my life."

Newsweek contacted the White House and The Wall Street Journal for comment outside regular working hours.

In recent weeks, Trump has faced a backlash from a section of his base after his Justice Department published a memo saying Epstein died by suicide while in federal custody in 2019. The agency also concluded that there was no evidence Epstein possessed an "incriminating 'client list.'"

The president has since blamed Democrats for what he calls the "Jeffrey Epstein Hoax," which he has branded a "SCAM." Conspiracy theorists have long suggested that Epstein kept a list of clients involved in child abuse whom he blackmailed and that he could have been murdered to protect powerful individuals—claims the FBI and Department of Justice deny.

Read the full story by James Bickerton on Newsweek.