House Speaker Mike Johnson has raised serious doubts about the credibility of Ghislaine Maxwell as a potential witness in ongoing congressional efforts to release Jeffrey Epstein files. The Louisiana Republican’s comments come as lawmakers clash over whether to force the Trump administration to make public additional documents related to the convicted sex offender’s case. Johnson’s skepticism centers on Maxwell’s criminal record and her role in Epstein’s trafficking network. Maxwell was convicted in 2021 for helping Epstein recruit and abuse underage girls before he took his own life in 2019 while awaiting trial on federal sex trafficking charges. “Can she be counted on to tell the truth? Is she a credible witness?” as per The Hill, Johnson told reporters on July 23, expressing his “obvious concern” about efforts to subpoena Maxwell. “I mean, this is a person who’s been sentenced to many, many years in prison for terrible, unspeakable, conspiratorial acts, acts against innocent young people.” Johnson blocks House vote on Epstein transparency measures The Speaker has faced intense pressure from both Democrats and some members of his own party to allow votes on measures that would force the release of Epstein-related documents. However, Johnson has repeatedly blocked these efforts, even going so far as to send the House home early for its August recess to avoid uncomfortable votes on the issue. Mike Johnson makes clear that when Congress returns next week he's going to work tirelessly to cover up the Epstein files pic.twitter.com/uzAcwmb5ea— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) August 29, 2025 Representatives Thomas Massie and Ro Khanna have introduced a bipartisan resolution calling for the Trump administration to release all Epstein files within 30 days. The measure has gained support from both progressive Democrats like Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and conservative Republicans including Marjorie Taylor Greene. Massie has publicly criticized Johnson’s handling of the issue, accusing him of “running cover for an underage sex trafficking ring.” Johnson defends his position by arguing that the Trump administration is already working to release appropriate documents through the court system. “There’s no purpose for Congress to push an administration to do something that they’re already doing,” he said. The Justice Department has filed motions to unseal grand jury transcripts related to Epstein’s case, though federal judges have so far rejected these requests. In August, the Department of Justice began delivering thousands of pages of Epstein-related documents to the House Oversight Committee, with officials promising more releases would follow after proper review and redaction to protect victims’ identities.