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US House speaker shuts down chamber to block Epstein vote US House speaker shuts down chamber to block Epstein vote
(about 3 hours later)
Trump says a DOJ meeting with Ghislaine Maxwell would be "appropriate"Trump says a DOJ meeting with Ghislaine Maxwell would be "appropriate"
US House Speaker Mike Johnson announced an early adjournment of the chamber, stalling efforts to force the release of documents related to disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein. US House of Representatives Speaker Mike Johnson has announced an early adjournment of the chamber, stalling efforts to force the release of documents related to disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein.
The move delays a politically fraught vote on the matter until September amid growing bipartisan pressure for transparency. It followed a key committee vote to subpoena Ghislaine Maxwell, Epstein's longtime associate, to testify before Congress. The move delays a politically fraught vote on the matter until September amid growing bipartisan pressure for transparency. It followed a key committee vote to subpoena Ghislaine Maxwell, Epstein's longtime associate, to testify before Congress.
Calls to declassify Epstein-related files have intensified recently, including from supporters of President Donald Trump.Calls to declassify Epstein-related files have intensified recently, including from supporters of President Donald Trump.
Earlier on Tuesday, the US justice department requested a meeting with Maxwell to ask "What do you know?". Earlier on Tuesday, the US justice department requested a meeting with Maxwell to ask: "What do you know?"
Maxwell's legal team told the BBC they were in discussions with the government and she would "always testify truthfully".Maxwell's legal team told the BBC they were in discussions with the government and she would "always testify truthfully".
On Capitol Hill on Tuesday, facing mounting pressure from both Democrats and some Republicans to force a vote to release Epstein-related files within 30 days, Johnson declared recess a day earlier than planned.On Capitol Hill on Tuesday, facing mounting pressure from both Democrats and some Republicans to force a vote to release Epstein-related files within 30 days, Johnson declared recess a day earlier than planned.
The House is expected to reconvene in September, when the usual summer break ends.The House is expected to reconvene in September, when the usual summer break ends.
Johnson defended the decision, accusing Democrats of "political games". "We're done being lectured on transparency," he said. Johnson defended the decision, accusing Democrats of "political games".
"We're done being lectured on transparency," the Republican congressman from Louisiana said.
The decision to bring forward the summer recess gives Johnson times to mend cracks within the Republican party over how to manage disclosures in the Epstein case.The decision to bring forward the summer recess gives Johnson times to mend cracks within the Republican party over how to manage disclosures in the Epstein case.
Accuser says 'rollercoaster' of Epstein files saga is a 'real weight' on victimsAccuser says 'rollercoaster' of Epstein files saga is a 'real weight' on victims
Why the Epstein case looms large in MAGA worldWhy the Epstein case looms large in MAGA world
Risky strategy for Trump as he escalates Epstein row with loyal supportersRisky strategy for Trump as he escalates Epstein row with loyal supporters
Sections of Trump's Make America Great Again (Maga) movement have been incensed by the justice department and FBI's conclusion on 6 July that Epstein did not have a so-called client list that could implicate high-profile associates, and that he did take his own life. Factions of Trump's Make America Great Again (Maga) movement have been incensed by the justice department and FBI's conclusion on 6 July that Epstein did not have a so-called client list that could implicate high-profile associates, and that he did take his own life.
Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche, who previously served as Trump's personal attorney in his 2024 criminal trial, said that assessment "remains accurate".Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche, who previously served as Trump's personal attorney in his 2024 criminal trial, said that assessment "remains accurate".
His statement noted that a recent, thorough review of FBI records related to the Epstein case uncovered "no evidence to predicate an investigation against uncharged third parties".His statement noted that a recent, thorough review of FBI records related to the Epstein case uncovered "no evidence to predicate an investigation against uncharged third parties".
"This Department of Justice does not shy away from uncomfortable truths, nor from the responsibility to pursue justice wherever the facts may lead," Blanche said. He confirmed plans to meet Maxwell "soon.""This Department of Justice does not shy away from uncomfortable truths, nor from the responsibility to pursue justice wherever the facts may lead," Blanche said. He confirmed plans to meet Maxwell "soon."
"If Ghislane Maxwell has information about anyone who has committed crimes against victims, the FBI and the DOJ will hear what she has to say," he added. "If Ghislaine Maxwell has information about anyone who has committed crimes against victims, the FBI and the DOJ will hear what she has to say," he added.
Ghislaine Maxwell is serving 20 years in prison for helping Jeffrey Epstein abuse young girlsGhislaine Maxwell is serving 20 years in prison for helping Jeffrey Epstein abuse young girls
Speaking to reporters from the Oval Office, President Trump said interviewing Maxwell "sounds appropriate to do" adding, "I don't know anything about it". Speaking to reporters from the Oval Office, President Trump said interviewing Maxwell "sounds appropriate to do" adding: "I don't know anything about it."
The justice department's meeting invitation has already been critiqued by some in the MAGA world. The justice department's meeting invitation has already been critiqued by some in the Maga world.
Laura Loomer, a far-right conspiracy theorist who has the ear of Trump, questioned why the Maxwell interview was not done "on day 1". Laura Loomer, a far-right influencer who has the ear of Trump, questioned why the Maxwell interview was not done "on day 1".
"I guess what I want to know is whether the DOJ is basically saying they have never met with Ghislaine Maxwell to ask her or interview her about whether she has information about sex crimes committed against minors," Ms Loomer wrote on social media."I guess what I want to know is whether the DOJ is basically saying they have never met with Ghislaine Maxwell to ask her or interview her about whether she has information about sex crimes committed against minors," Ms Loomer wrote on social media.
Epstein, a convicted sex offender, died by suicide in a New York prison cell in 2019 while he was awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges.Epstein, a convicted sex offender, died by suicide in a New York prison cell in 2019 while he was awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges.
Last week, Trump directed Attorney General Pam Bondi to petition the court to release all relevant grand jury testimony in the case. Last week, Trump directed Attorney General Pam Bondi to petition a court to release all relevant grand jury testimony in the case.
Maxwell was found guilty of helping Epstein sexually abuse young girls. She was sentenced to 20 years in prison in June 2022.Maxwell was found guilty of helping Epstein sexually abuse young girls. She was sentenced to 20 years in prison in June 2022.
On Tuesday, her lawyer David Oscar Markus said in a statement: "We are grateful to President Trump for his commitment to uncovering the truth in this case."On Tuesday, her lawyer David Oscar Markus said in a statement: "We are grateful to President Trump for his commitment to uncovering the truth in this case."
Watch: "It's exhausting" - Epstein accuser talks to the BBC about files sagaWatch: "It's exhausting" - Epstein accuser talks to the BBC about files saga
Earlier this year, Maxwell urged the Supreme Court to review her case. The justice department pushed the court to reject that appeal last week.Earlier this year, Maxwell urged the Supreme Court to review her case. The justice department pushed the court to reject that appeal last week.
Throughout the course of Maxwell's 2022 trial, four women testified that they had been abused as minors at Epstein's homes in Florida, New York, New Mexico and the Virgin Islands.Throughout the course of Maxwell's 2022 trial, four women testified that they had been abused as minors at Epstein's homes in Florida, New York, New Mexico and the Virgin Islands.
One of those women, Annie Farmer, said her only sense of justice came from the conviction of Maxwell.One of those women, Annie Farmer, said her only sense of justice came from the conviction of Maxwell.
She told the BBC in an interview this week that the "rollercoaster" of the Epstein saga was a "real weight" on accusers, adding that too much focus has been paid to the abusers with little new information emerging, leaving her feeling "used".She told the BBC in an interview this week that the "rollercoaster" of the Epstein saga was a "real weight" on accusers, adding that too much focus has been paid to the abusers with little new information emerging, leaving her feeling "used".
Watch: How are Americans reacting to Trump's handling of the Epstein files?Watch: How are Americans reacting to Trump's handling of the Epstein files?