Speaker Mike Johnson said he would send lawmakers home early for their summer recess in order to head off Democratic demands for votes on calling for the release of files from the investigation into Jeffrey Epstein.
Mr. Johnson implied that his concerns about transparency had been alleviated, for now, by Mr. Trump’s move to authorize Attorney General Pam Bondi to seek the public release of grand jury testimony from the prosecution of Mr. Epstein. That is a far cry from the breadth of information the president’s supporters have demanded, yet it appeared to be enough to persuade the speaker.
Edit
This thread used to link to https://www.nytimes.com/live/2025/07/22/us/trump-news/0d8c9050-dee0-5253-89b2-30e4737090c1, a live thread linked from NYT’s “Breaking news” newsletter, which headlined it “Johnson Shutting Down House Early to Block Epstein Vote”. Now that the NYT has made a standalone article, I’ve replaced this post’s link with that article’s gift link, courtesy of the relevant subcommag.
What a weak ass, pedophile protecting, pathetic little man, hiding behind self righteous claims of “family values” and a “strong patriarch.”
You know what Moses would do in this situation? “Lead his people” by protecting kids from the pedophiles Johnson is unwilling to expose.
All after going on with that whole BS about going against Trump on this one. Weyrich was right when he said there was no longer a “moral majority.” But not bc they lost a manufactured culture war. Bc the leaders of the movement were never motivated by morality. They were motivated by their desire for power and control.
This is exactly the outcome you would expect from a bunch of narcissists hell bent on forcing society to “return” to some idealised world that never actually existed, all in the name of “traditional values.”
Those with power demanding everyone conform to their demands and live their lives by the rules they make up, while using their position of power to manipulate the majority with claims of being “chosen by God to lead.” All while protecting the most evil, despicable scum of the earth. Satan himself couldn’t have come up with a better way to cosplay as an angel of light.
The look you get when you run cover for pedos.
Why is it ok that he can do this? Before you respond glibly, IT IS NOT OK THAT HE CAN DO THIS. We need to fix this shit.
Why can’t he do this? He was elected Speaker of the House.
Why is it ok to let the speaker have that kind of power?
I don’t see why it isn’t. This is the norm everywhere else. For a slightly extreme example, Prime Ministers can do the same thing. You have to have someone decide when to recess. If representatives disagree, they just vacate 'em. To counterbalance, the Speaker does not usually participate in floor debates, and is mostly responsible for other procedural and administrative stuff as well.
Is it a norm for the government to just go on a paid vacation when an uncomfortable question arises?
Gaslight. Obstruct. Project (and also pedophilia apparently)
Trump raped kids.
Mike Johnson loves pedophiles
I just wish the right-wing base held their representatives to a higher standard or at least to the standard they hold Dems.
Pedophiles covering for pedophiles. It’s the GOP way!
So turns out this is the real reason they’re against abortions. I always thought it was the labor they could exploit. I guess it’s both
Labor for the ugly kids, rape for the rest.
Government Efficiency
Gamey Old Pedophiles
I guess he figures that when they return, everybody will have forgotten about Epstein.
He’s probably right.
First thing Democrats should do when they get back is demand the files be released again. Not like Republicans will allow anything that actually benefits the public to be done, might as well just troll them.
