House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) is reversing course and throwing his support behind a petition to compel the Justice Department to release all its files on convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, Axios has learned.
Why it matters: The move is a remarkable pivot for Johnson, who had urged Republicans to reject the effort. President Trump's last-minute public endorsement made resistance untenable.
- Johnson announced his support during a GOP conference meeting Tuesday morning, a source in the room told Axios, although the speaker is still urging the Senate to make changes to the measure to address concerns he has raised.
- The vote to compel the release of the Epstein files is expected to receive unanimous Republican backing, according to multiple GOP members.
- A "no" vote would put Johnson at odds with both his conference and the White House.
The big picture: Johnson's shift underscores Trump's enduring grip on the GOP: Within 48 hours of the president's reversal, the speaker fell in line on a vote he had fought to avoid.
- Trump on Sunday reversed months of calls to block an Epstein vote, saying Republicans should vote for it. By Monday, he said he'd sign the bill.
- Dozens of House Republicans had already planned to support the petition, but Trump's blessing made it an easier choice.
Zoom in: Johnson opposed the effort from the start, using delay tactics and behind-the-scenes pressure to keep it off the floor.
- He cut the week short before the August recess after Democrats forced multiple votes on releasing the files.
- He then kept the House out of session for nearly two months — a move that, intentionally or not, delayed the discharge petition from reaching the floor.
- He's argued the petition is "moot," claiming that the House Oversight Committee's investigation into Epstein would yield more information.
The intrigue: Johnson also has insisted the bill does not adequately protect Epstein's victims, though it directs the DOJ to redact identifying details and child sexual abuse materials.
- The speaker told reporters Monday he expects the Senate to "fix" that provision.
- If the Senate amends the bill, it would have to come back to the House for a vote, prolonging an Epstein debate many Republicans are eager to move past.
