Speaker Johnson Clarifies Trump’s Epstein Remarks: Calls for Transparency, Justice for Victims

House Speaker Mike Johnson reaffirmed his commitment to full accountability in the Jeffrey Epstein scandal, pushing back against media narratives while also distancing himself from President Trump’s previous description of the case as a “hoax.”

“We want full transparency. We want everybody who is involved in any way with the Epstein evils — let’s call it what it was — to be brought to justice as quickly as possible. We want the full weight of the law on their heads,” Johnson said in a sit-down interview with CBS News’ Major Garrett.

Pressed on whether he agrees with President Trump’s “hoax” characterization, Johnson replied plainly: “It’s not a hoax. Of course not.” He emphasized, however, that he had not personally reviewed the case evidence, stating, “It was not in my lane.”

President Trump’s administration has been under increasing pressure — even from within the GOP — to release more information about Epstein’s activities and associates, as skepticism grows about the case’s handling during the Biden years. The recent DOJ and FBI review reaffirmed the official narrative: no “client list,” no blackmail scheme, and suicide as the cause of Epstein’s 2019 death while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges.

Still, Johnson has resisted calls from House Democrats to hold a floor vote on the full release of Epstein-related files, accusing them of playing “political games,” according to CBS News. Earlier this week, Johnson unexpectedly wrapped up the House’s work week early, sending lawmakers into summer recess ahead of schedule — a move that drew media attention amid the Epstein firestorm.

In his interview, Johnson expressed a sentiment shared by many Americans: “I have the same concern and question that a lot of people do.”

Meanwhile, President Trump continues to push for more disclosure. His Justice Department recently asked federal courts to unseal grand jury testimony related to past Epstein investigations. A Florida judge denied one request involving probes from the early 2000s, but separate efforts to unseal documents from the more recent New York cases remain pending.

Adding to the intrigue, Ghislaine Maxwell — Epstein’s longtime associate who was convicted for trafficking underage girls — sat for nearly nine hours of questioning over two days this week. According to ABC News, Maxwell was granted limited immunity by the Trump DOJ in order to speak freely to Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche.

“There have been no asks and no promises,” said her attorney, David Markus.

Markus told the outlet that Maxwell was questioned about “maybe 100 different people” and “answered every single question,” adding: “She didn’t hold anything back.”

Whether Maxwell named names or implicated other powerful figures remains unknown, but insiders suggest her testimony could prove explosive.