House Speaker Mike Johnson urged caution as Congress moves toward releasing the Epstein files. He said the process must be handled with “accuracy, integrity, and above all, respect for the victims involved,” emphasizing that this moment requires moral, not just procedural, responsibility.

Johnson described the release as more than an administrative task. He argued that Congress faces a major test in managing highly sensitive material linked to “one of the most troubling criminal networks in recent history.” Because of the weight of the documents, he said lawmakers must avoid turning the issue into a spectacle.

Although Republicans support making the files public, Johnson insisted the real issue is how the release happens. Transparency, he warned, must not “come at the expense of survivors who may be retraumatized by careless disclosure.” He stressed the need for careful handling to protect people still affected by the case.

Johnson also pointed out that careless disclosure could interfere with any remaining investigative leads. Even if much of the network is already known, he suggested some details may still matter to law enforcement.

Throughout his remarks, Johnson contrasted his approach with what he called Democratic “theatrics.” He presented the issue as a test of Congress’s ability to rise above partisanship and treat the documents with the seriousness the victims deserve.