Johnson Chooses Falsehoods and Distractions Over Genuine Transparency on Epstein
Washington, D.C. — On Thursday, Demand Progress published a comprehensive memo debunking House Speaker Mike Johnson’s recent, repeated attempts to avoid releasing the Epstein files. The memo discredits Johnson’s false claims that Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY) and Ro Khanna’s (D-CA) Epstein Files Transparency Act would expose Epstein’s victims and would result in the release of child sexual abuse materials. The memo also outlines how Johnson’s alternative proposals—a weak, nonbinding resolution and calls for the courts to release grand jury materials likely to be grossly inadequate—won’t provide meaningful transparency and accountability. Demand Progress is leading a campaign calling on Americans to demand that their representatives support a petition that would force a vote on the Massie-Khanna bill.
Demand Progress Special Advisor Kate Oh is available to answer questions about the memo, the Massie-Khanna bill and explain why Speaker Johnson’s resolution won’t do anything to release the Epstein files and, in fact, may be even worse than doing nothing. If you wish to speak to her, please email eric@demandprogress.org or call (202) 642-6001.