CNN Anchor Grills James Comer On House Skipping Town Early To Avoid Epstein Vote as He Calls for Transparency
CNN’s Pamela Brown pressed Rep. James Comer (R-KY) on House members skipping town early in light of his others’ calls for more transparency on the “Epstein Files.”
Comer joined Brown on The Situation Room on Wednesday following House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) announcing the day prior that the House is going into its summer recess early, squashing the potential for a vote on a resolution demanding the administration release more documents related to the case of the late billionaire Jeffrey Epstein.
“So how do you respond to House Speaker Johnson starting the August recess early to avoid forcing the Justice Department to release the Epstein Files?” Brown asked Comer.
Comer appeared surprised that would be the reason for the early recess.
“I don’t know why that’s why we’re starting early,” Comer said.
“You don’t think that has anything to do with it?” Brown asked.
“No, I don’t,” Comer answered.
“Have you talked to him about this?” Brown pressed further.
Comer replied that he hadn’t. During his announcement to the press, Johnson accused Democrats of playing “political games” on calls for the release of more Epstein documents. He also lashed out at Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY) for introducing the Epstein Files resolution that is waiting on a vote.
“We’re done being lectured on transparency,” Johnson said during his announcement.
Epstein died of an apparent suicide in 2019 while being charged with sex trafficking. President Donald Trump has faced calls from his own supporters for more documents related to Epstein to be released following a Department of Justice/FBI memo denying the existence of a client list, an idea that sits at the center of numerous conspiracy theories about Epstein.
Trump has lashed out at his own supporters over Epstein and called the existence of any list a “hoax” despite Attorney General Pam Bondi referencing one in February.
On Wednesday, Comer defended Johnson and said he has to deal with “difficult personalities” in the party. The Oversight Committee chairman said that most Republicans in the House want to see the release of more documents and don’t trust the Department of Justice, regardless of the administration.
“Most Republicans have a huge distrust of the Department of Justice,” he said.
Comer, who said he is signing moving to subpoena longtime Epstein associate Ghislaine Maxwell, said he believes there is more to the Epstein case than is currently being revealed.
“Release what you have because you have something. There is something there,” he said.
“Do you trust Trump’s DOJ?” Brown asked.
“I trust Pam Bondi and I trust the president. The president says he’s going to release the the documents. I take him at his word,” Comer said. “If he does, if when we come back in September the documents aren’t released, I can see Congress taking additional action.”
Watch above via CNN.
