WASHINGTON, DC – DECEMBER 17: U.S. Speaker of the House Mike Johnson (R-LA) speaks to members of the media as he leaves the House Chamber at the U.S. Capitol on December 17, 2025 in Washington, DC. Four Republican Representatives join Democrats to sign a petition forcing a vote on legislation that will extend premium tax credits for the Affordable Care Act. (Photo by Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)

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Hugh Cameron

By Hugh Cameron

Reporter

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Republicans in the House have brought their Christmas recess a day forward—before the Department of Justice (DOJ) is scheduled to release a tranche of documents related to the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

According to a floor update released by Democratic Whip Katherine Clark of Massachusetts, the House will hold its final votes on Thursday afternoon, a change from the GOP’s previously announced schedule which would have seen these taking place on Friday.

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Under the guidelines of the Epstein Files Transparency Act, signed into law by President Donald Trump on November 19, Attorney General Pam Bondi had a 30-day deadline to make publicly available all unclassified materials related to Epstein.

Newsweek has contacted the DOJ through its website and House Majority Leader Steve Scalise's D.C. office by phone outside of regular hours for comment.

Why It Matters

There is no evidence that the early recess stems from a desire to interfere with the release of the files, or an indication that the DOJ’s deadline could be affected by the altered schedule. However, many online commentators, as well as some Democratic lawmakers, have connected the decision with GOP leadership’s past reluctance to pursue full disclosure around the Epstein case.

U.S. Speaker of the House Mike Johnson at the U.S. Capitol on December 17, 2025, in Washington, D.C.

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What To Know

According to the text of the Epstein bill, Bondi had until Friday to release all materials in the possession of the DOJ, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and U.S. Attorneys’ Offices relating to investigations into Epstein, his accomplice Ghislaine Maxwell, as well as information on travel records, individuals with ties to the pair and his death in 2019.

The release is meant to be comprehensive, with no redactions permitted for potential “embarrassment, reputational harm or political sensitivity” for government officials, public figures or foreign dignitaries. Redactions are allowed, however, to protect the identity of victims and prevent disruption to any active investigations or prosecutions, provided these are accompanied by written justifications.

"Perhaps the truth about these Democrats, and their associations with Jeffrey Epstein, will soon be revealed,” Trump posted to Truth Social upon announcing that he had signed the bill. The president had previously opposed the measure, but changed course following backlash from victims and members of his party, after which it easily cleared both the House and the Senate.

The attorney general said she intended to comply with the deadline set out in the bill in a statement to ABC, but some Democrats have already drawn a connection between the early Christmas recess and the scheduled release of the files.

“Like I said: view all political developments for the rest of the week in light of the fact that the Epstein Files are supposed to be released on Friday,” New York Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez posted to X. “House Republicans just suddenly canceled Congressional session Friday and are sending everyone home Thursday evening.”

What People Are Saying

Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche, during a joint press conference with Bondi and FBI Director Kash Patel in November, said: “We're going to protect victims, and the law as written allows us to do that. You know, the law has carveouts to protect victims and to protect information surrounding victims, which is what we do, not only in this case, but in but in every case.”

California's Democratic Representative Ro Khanna, who introduced the bill in the House, posted: “Epstein files released Friday because of my & [Kentucky Republican Representative Thomas Massie’s] Epstein Transparency Act, and House cancels session that day. Coincidence?"

Sarah Binder, a professor of political science at George Washington University and Brookings Institution senior fellow, told Newsweek: "The enacted 'Epstein Files Transparency Act' only requires that the Attorney General 'make publicly available in a searchable and downloadable format' all of the materials listed in the new law. As such, the House adjourning early would not affect the AG's ability to legally comply with the required public release of materials."

She added that there could be a "political incentive for House GOP leaders to adjourn a day earlier than previously scheduled," which would allow them to "avoid questions from national reporters in the Capitol corridors about the Epstein files tomorrow."

What Happens Next

Congress will return to session following its Christmas break on January 6.

Update 12/18/25, 12:03 p.m. ET: This article was updated with comment from Sarah Binder

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