Will the US House Speaker End Session Early Amid Epstein Controversy?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- US House Speaker Mike Johnson announced an early adjournment amid Epstein document scrutiny.
- Lawmakers will return to their states earlier for a five-week recess.
- Bipartisan pressure is mounting for the release of Epstein-related documents.
- Trump has promised to release documents if re-elected.
- The DOJ claims no incriminating 'client list' exists.
Washington, July 23 (NationPress) As the scrutiny surrounding Jeffrey Epstein's documents escalates, US House Speaker Mike Johnson announced plans to adjourn the lower chamber on Wednesday. This decision will send lawmakers back to their states and districts earlier than originally intended for a five-week summer break, as reported by media outlets.
Initially, the House of Representatives was scheduled to conclude its session on July 24 for the August recess. However, Johnson revealed that the final votes would take place on July 23, leading to formal adjournment. This choice comes under increasing bipartisan pressure for the release of documents associated with convicted sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein, according to the Xinhua news agency.
In his remarks, Johnson highlighted that US President Donald Trump has directed the Department of Justice (DOJ) to take necessary actions, emphasizing that the administration deserves the "space to operate as it is currently doing."
Epstein, who had deep ties with political and business elites in the US, was arrested on sex crime allegations and was found dead in prison in August 2019, with his death officially ruled as suicide.
During his 2024 presidential campaign, Trump vowed to release documents related to Epstein if re-elected. However, earlier this month, the DOJ and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) issued a joint memo asserting that no incriminating "client list" exists and stated that "no further disclosure would be appropriate or warranted."
This evolving stance from the Trump administration has sparked significant criticism, with some supporters even calling for US Attorney General Pam Bondi's resignation while demanding greater transparency from the government.