THUNE and JOHNSON suffer rare split over EPSTEIN, JACK SMITH fallout

Thursday, November 20, 2025-Senate Majority Leader John Thune and House Speaker Mike Johnson — usually close allies — are publicly clashing over two politically explosive issues: the release of Jeffrey Epstein‑related files and a controversial Senate provision tied to Special Counsel Jack Smith’s investigations. The divide highlights growing tension within GOP leadership, even as they insist their broader working relationship remains intact.

Johnson has pushed for more safeguards in the Epstein files release, arguing that the current bill lacks protections for victims and whistleblowers. Thune, however, rebuffed the call for amendments: the bill passed the Senate by unanimous consent, and he publicly stated he doesn’t plan to alter it.

On the Jack Smith front, Johnson was furious over a Senate provision tucked into the government funding deal that would allow senators to sue the government over electronic records seizures — a move connected to Smith’s probe. Thune defended the inclusion as a “Senate issue” and downplayed Johnson’s objections, though tensions clearly run deeper than usual between the two.