Minnesota Rep. Ilhan Omar (D) on Tuesday slammed the GOP for dodging a vote that would call for the release of files related to deceased financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
Republican leaders this week scrapped their legislative plans and headed early into a long summer recess — all to avoid votes on the Epstein saga. However, House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) has insisted the move was not intended to shield Republicans from tough Epstein votes — or protect Trump from potentially embarrassing disclosures — but to end the Democrats’ “political games.”
“The pedophile protection party is shutting down Congress just to avoid voting on the release of the Epstein files,” Omar wrote in a post on X in response to the move.
Last week, GOP lawmakers killed a vote backed by Democrats attempting to force the release of Epstein’s files. It failed 211-210 along party lines.
“The American people are best served by putting an end to Democrats’ side shows. That’s what we’re doing by not allowing the Rules Committee to continue with that nonsense this week,” Johnson said during a Tuesday press conference.
“We’re done being lectured on transparency,” he said.
However, some Republicans have refused to completely abandon the public’s desire for more information related to Epstein’s international illegal dealings.
The House Oversight and Government Reform subcommittee voted Tuesday to subpoena Ghislaine Maxwell, longtime associate to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, to appear for a deposition.
Some are hoping the measure will unveil new details about the list of people involved with the human trafficking ring.
“This is progress. We will not stop fighting until the Epstein Files are released. Trump and Bondi must stop blocking the American people from the truth,” House Oversight Democrats wrote on the social platform X after the vote.
On Tuesday, Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche also said in a statement that he has communicated with Maxwell’s counsel “to determine whether she would be willing to speak with prosecutors from the Department.”
“I anticipate meeting with Ms. Maxwell in the coming days,” Blanche said. “Until now, no administration on behalf of the Department had inquired about her willingness to meet with the government. That changes now.”
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