In a dramatic political pivot, House Speaker Mike Johnson has announced his support for a vote to release Department of Justice files related to the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, a decision that has drawn immediate and brutal criticism from his colleagues.
A Sudden Reversal
The Louisiana Republican made his announcement on Tuesday, November 18, 2025, stating he would vote to advance a Democrat-led discharge petition compelling the release of the remaining documents. This move came as a stark reversal from his position just two days prior, when he accused Democrats of using the scandal primarily to target former President Donald Trump.
Speaker Johnson had previously taken steps to delay such a vote, including shutting down the House early and holding off on swearing in a new member during the government shutdown. His sudden change of heart did not go unnoticed.
The Political Backlash
Representative Eric Swalwell offered a particularly vicious theory for the speaker's turnaround on social media. "Daddy gave you permission??" Swalwell asked in a post that quickly went viral. The comment was a clear reference to Johnson's perceived allegiance to Donald Trump, who himself had dramatically switched his position on the files earlier in the week.
Trump had initially been working behind the scenes to prevent a vote. However, on Sunday, he relented as it became apparent a significant number of Republicans were prepared to defect and vote for the files' release. On his Truth Social platform, Trump wrote, "House Republicans should vote to release the Epstein files, because we have nothing to hide, and it’s time to move on from this Democrat Hoax."
Swalwell was not alone in his mockery. Other social media users echoed the sentiment, with one noting, "Daddy said it was okay as long as all references to Daddy were taken out." Another critic highlighted Johnson's prior efforts to block the vote, specifically his months-long refusal to swear in Representative-elect Adelita Grijalva because she provided the 218th signature needed to force the vote.
Johnson's Defense and the Road Ahead
Facing a storm of criticism, Mike Johnson insisted to reporters that his new stance was not a reversal. At a Tuesday news conference, he stood beside a poster board listing five "dangers of the discharge petition," which included concerns over victim privacy. He sharply criticized the measure as dangerously flawed, warning that carelessness in its execution could have negative consequences, even as he pledged his vote to advance it.
The episode underscores the intense political pressure surrounding the long-running Epstein case and highlights the powerful influence of former President Trump on the current Republican leadership. The decision to finally release the files now appears imminent, but the political fallout from the speaker's abrupt U-turn is likely to continue.
