Conservative Republicans are breaking with Trump over his handling of the Jeffrey Epstein case, according to NBC News. Trump allies in Congress continued demanding the release of Epstein files after the DOJ and FBI refused further disclosures and Trump downplayed the case. Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene and House Speaker Mike Johnson both said they support having Ghislaine Maxwell testify before Congress, while Rep. Lauren Boebert said a special counsel may be needed. Representative Scott DesJarlais criticized Attorney General Pam Bondi for not pursuing prosecutions of people who committed sex crimes with minors. Trump defended Bondi’s handling of the case and denied any wrongdoing, reiterating he was never on Epstein’s plane or island.
