So what happens when the House comes back into session?

[Jersey Devil]

Sooner or later Mike Johnson is going to have to call the House back into session. The current CR passed by the House (but not the Senate) expires on November 21, so if nothing else they will need another resolution to reopen the government after that date.

The petition re Epstein will immediately be signed and there will be a vote by the House on releasing the Epstein files. Let's assume it passes (which also assumes none of the Repubs who signed the petition will change their minds).

Sure the House has some of the Epstein files it can release, but surely not all of them, so when Trump refuses, then what?

[Srkdqltr]

1. I will be surprised if anything is left in the files.

They have been in someone's possession for a long time.

[Jersey Devil]

2. But if the files were "cleaned up" why not just release them?

There must be info in the files that either cannot be cleaned up or that has been shared with others in the past (such as prosecutors) that cannot be erased. Otherwise it makes no sense for Republicans to continue to go to such extremes (like keeping the House out of session) and bear the bad PR for refusing to release them. It just does not add up.

[Bluetus]

4. It was the 18 minute gap that sunk Nixon

It wasn't so much what was on the tapes (although that was bad). It was what had been erased that really did Nixon in.

Every redaction in the Epstein files will raise 100 more questions.

[MichMan]

10. Still don't understand why the DOJ just didn't release them years ago

[Bluetus]

3. I have been unclear about this Epstein vote.

It is a discharge petition, which bypasses the Speaker and requires an immediate floor vote. But if it is regarding legislation, that would just get stuck in the Senate. In that case, there would be no reason for Johnson to be stonewalling like this.

So I don't think it is legislation. It must be a procedural thing that will allow a committee to subpoena the records and/or release them to the public. That would not involve the Senate.

Can anybody clarify this?

[Jersey Devil]

5. Agreed it is not very clear

The House can release files it has, but they are obviously not all the files and Trump will simply refuse to obey any subpoena, so it seems to me that the most this discharge petition can accomplish is to make Repub look bad. If that is the case we will never see the files until Trump is long gone.

[Bluetus]

7. Here is the resolution

https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-resolution/581

This resolution provides a special rule for consideration of H.R. 185 and amends that bill to direct the Department of Justice (DOJ) to make publicly available certain records related to Jeffrey Epstein or Ghislaine Maxwell.

Under H.R. 185, as amended by the resolution, DOJ must publicly disclose all unclassified records, documents, communications, and investigative materials in its possession that relate to Epstein or Maxwell. The records include unclassified records referring or relating to Epstein's detention and death; flight logs of aircraft owned or used by Epstein; individuals named in connection with Epstein’s criminal activities, civil settlements, or immunity or plea agreements; immunity deals, sealed settlements, or plea bargains of Epstein or his associates; entities with ties to Epstein’s trafficking or financial networks; and internal Department of Justice communications concerning decisions to investigate or charge Epstein or his associates.

However, under the amended bill, DOJ may withhold or redact portions of records with written justification that such portions contain (1) victims' personally identifiable information; (2) child sexual abuse materials; (3) images of death, physical abuse, or injury; (4) information which would jeopardize an active federal investigation or prosecution; or (5) classified information. DOJ may not withhold or redact records on the basis of embarrassment, reputational harm, or political sensitivity.

Further, within 15 days of completing the required disclosures, DOJ must provide Congress with a report listing all categories of records released and withheld, all redactions made and their legal basis, and all government officials and politically exposed persons named or referenced in the released materials.

[Bluetus]

8. So it compels DOJ to provide all their records

Last edited Sat Oct 25, 2025, 03:27 PM - Edit history (1)

and in cases where redactions are allowable, DOJ has to provide an account of each redaction and the legal basis for such.

THIS is why Johnson has been stonewalling. We know Trump will not allow DOJ to comply, and they will drag their feet for a long time. But this might expose DOJ employees to criminal prosecution in the post-Trump days if they impede this order from the House.

However ... there is a gigantic loophole. Classified records are excluded, and DoJ (or Trump himself) can classify anything. The resolution says that they cannot redact based on embarrassment or for political protection. But that is only for unclassified material. There is nothing in the resolution that requires DoJ to produce, disclose or even vaguely describe any classified arterial.

[republianmushroom]

6. Going to be interesting.

[HAB911]

9. Does he actually have to

Trump says he is the Speaker and President

What if he doesn't?

[Wiz Imp]

11. Assuming the House passes the Epstein files bill, it then goes to the Senate

who must also pass it then it goes to Trump who will veto it. So it won't get the files released in and of itself regardless. But what it will do is force every single Republican in Congress to go on record by either voting to release the files, or voting no which can be correctly characterized as a vote to protect pedophiles.

Make no mistake, that is a big deal to many Republicans. So far they have been able to get away with shielding the Epstein files while not having to officially go on the record with a vote. Many are absolutely terrified of the consequences from voters if they vote to protect the pedophiles, but they're also terrified of the consequences of voting against Trump's wishes.