MIKE JOHNSON to back EPSTEIN files discharge petition

Wednesday, November 19, 2025-House Speaker Mike Johnson has dramatically shifted course, announcing that he will vote yes on a discharge petition that forces a full House vote to release Justice Department files connected to Jeffrey Epstein. 

While he has long resisted the push—calling the petition “reckless” and raising concerns about inadequate protections for victims—he now argues that supporting the vote is the only way to show “maximum transparency.”

Johnson’s sudden reversal comes amid mounting pressure: President Trump, who previously opposed the measure, has now signaled support and said he would sign the bill into law. 

His alignment with the petition – despite his public insistence that it’s “dangerously flawed” – underscores the political weight behind full disclosure, especially as many Republicans are now backing the effort.

However, Johnson warns that the current version of the bill still needs serious fixes. He’s pushing for the Senate to amend it so it better protects victims, minors, and sensitive information, and says he’s confident Senate leaders will take the time to get it right.

With the path now cleared for a House vote, the fight over how much truth will be revealed—and how responsibly—enters a critical new phase.