- House Speaker Mike Johnson halted House proceedings to block Democratic attempts to force the release of files related to sex trafficking financier Jeffrey Epstein.
- Johnson accused Democrats of weaponising the Rules process, while this action occurred amidst ongoing criticism of Donald Trump's handling of promised Epstein file disclosures.
- The procedural halt risks the House's ability to pass crucial spending bills before the August recess, potentially leading to a government shutdown upon their return.
- Republicans faced disarray following a Justice Department memo stating no further Epstein disclosure was warranted and a report alleging a birthday card from Donald Trump to Epstein, which Donald Trump denied and sued over.
- A bipartisan discharge petition, led by Representatives Thomas Massie and Ro Khanna, is gaining traction to force a floor vote on the Epstein files, bypassing committee processes, with the vote expected in September after the recess.
IN FULL
Mike Johnson shuts Congress for summer to avoid dealing with Trump handling of Epstein files
