Democrats sought to use a House Rules Committee meeting to force a vote on the Epstein resolution introduced by Republican Representative Thomas Massie and Democratic R

Republicans had planned unrelated votes, but members of the party did not want to vote on the Epstein issue, for fear of retribution from angry supporters who are demanding the release of case files.

WASHINGTON (AP) — House Speaker Mike Johnson is rebuffing pressure to act on the investigation into Jeffrey Epstein, instead sending members home early for a month-long break from Washington after the week's legislative agenda was upended by Republican members who are clamoring for a vote.

Facing backlash from MAGA supporters about the handling of files related to Jeffrey Epstein, President Trump has released a flood of information on old grievances and issues popular with the base on social media.

By tapping into other grievances, President Trump managed to turn one of the most fractious moments for his base into a unifying one.