Daijiworld Media Network – Washington

Washington, Sep 6: House Speaker Mike Johnson on Friday defended President Donald Trump after he dismissed calls to release all federal files related to Jeffrey Epstein’s investigation as a “Democrat hoax.”

Speaking on Capitol Hill, Johnson claimed Trump has been an FBI informant for decades, tracing back to Epstein’s association with Trump’s Mar-A-Lago club. “He [Trump] is not saying that what Epstein did is a hoax, it’s a terrible, unspeakable evil. When he first heard the rumor, he kicked him out of Mar-A-Lago. He has great sympathy for the women who have suffered,” Johnson said.

Trump, however, has repeatedly called demands for full disclosure politically motivated, calling them “totally irrelevant to the success that we have had as a nation since I have been president.”

The debate comes amid growing frustration from survivors of Epstein’s abuse, who warn they may compile their own list of alleged abusers if Congress fails to act. Bipartisan legislation led by Republican Rep. Thomas Massie and Democrat Rep. Ro Khanna seeks to compel the DOJ to release the complete file. Massie has also pushed a discharge petition to force a House vote.

Meanwhile, Johnson and the White House have advised Republicans against supporting the petition, with officials warning that signing on could be viewed as a “very hostile act” toward the administration.

Survivors continue to call for transparency, highlighting legal risks if they release names themselves. Massie noted that while some lawmakers may name names under Congressional immunity, the list is unlikely to be made public anytime soon.