Washington, D.C. – August 29, 2025 – House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) appeared on ABC’s Good Morning America Friday morning, addressing a range of pressing issues as Congress prepares to return from its monthlong August recess next week. In a wide-ranging interview with George Stephanopoulos, Johnson defended Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. amid upheaval at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), discussed the ongoing push for the release of Jeffrey Epstein-related files, responded to a recent deadly school shooting in Minneapolis, and touted President Donald Trump’s sweeping tax and spending bill despite low public approval ratings. The appearance comes at a critical juncture for the Republican-led House, which faces bipartisan pressure on transparency and gun violence legislation, while navigating internal divisions and the broader political landscape shaped by Trump’s agenda. Highlights from the interview reveal Johnson’s efforts to balance party unity with public demands, offering insights into the legislative priorities ahead.
Defending HHS Secretary RFK Jr. Amid CDC Leadership Exodus
The interview opened with the ongoing turmoil at the CDC, where a mass exodus of senior officials followed the Trump administration’s abrupt termination of agency director Susan Monarez in late July 2025. The move, part of Kennedy’s overhaul to refocus the agency on “original intent” priorities like infectious disease prevention over what he called “bureaucratic overreach,” has led to the resignation or departure of over 20 top scientists and administrators, sparking concerns about operational disruptions and public health readiness. Johnson, a staunch Trump ally, pushed back against critics who accused the administration of politicizing the agency.
“Well, I think overall, Secretary Kennedy is doing a great job,” Johnson said, emphasizing the need for reform at the CDC. He argued that the leadership under Monarez had strayed from core functions, citing Kennedy’s point that the agency required a reset to address “real threats” like emerging pathogens rather than “woke initiatives.” “The CDC plays an important role in the government and in our society, and we want it to be strong, and we want it to be restored to its original intent,” Johnson added. The speaker dismissed reports of chaos as “overblown,” noting that Kennedy’s team is actively recruiting replacements with expertise in traditional epidemiology, and that the agency’s vaccine advisory committees remain intact.
This defense aligns with the administration’s broader health policy shifts, including Kennedy’s controversial nomination and confirmation in April 2025, despite Democratic opposition over his past vaccine skepticism. The CDC shakeup has drawn bipartisan scrutiny, with Senate Democrats like Elizabeth Warren calling for hearings on potential impacts to programs like COVID-19 surveillance. Johnson, however, framed it as necessary “housecleaning” to rebuild trust eroded during the pandemic, echoing Trump’s July executive order directing HHS to prioritize “evidence-based science” over “ideological mandates.” Public health experts, however, warn of risks to ongoing initiatives, such as flu tracking and opioid crisis response, amid the staffing vacuum.
The Epstein Files: A Bipartisan Push and Johnson’s Cautious Stance
A significant portion of the interview focused on the persistent controversy surrounding the release of Jeffrey Epstein files, a issue that has roiled Republicans since July 2025. Epstein, the convicted sex offender who died by suicide in 2019 while awaiting trial on sex-trafficking charges, has become a flashpoint for Trump’s MAGA base, who accuse Attorney General Pam Bondi of withholding a purported “client list” implicating powerful figures. The Justice Department, under Bondi, released thousands of documents to the House Oversight Committee last week, but critics, including Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.), argue much of it was already public information, demanding full transparency.
Johnson faced questions about a bipartisan discharge petition led by Khanna and Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) to force a floor vote compelling the DOJ to release all unclassified Epstein materials within 30 days. In July, the speaker had called the bill “reckless” and abruptly ended the legislative session early to avoid a vote, drawing accusations of protecting elites. On GMA, however, Johnson softened his tone, stating, “If it’s necessary, we will” allow a vote on the petition. He suggested the recent DOJ handover – including grand jury materials and investigative records – might have “mooted” the need for further legislation, claiming it addressed the core demands for transparency.
“I think what’s happened over August, over the last few weeks, has probably mooted that – the necessity of legislation,” Johnson said. He reiterated his earlier call for full disclosure, telling podcaster Benny Johnson in July, “We should put everything out there and let the people decide it,” breaking temporarily with Trump, who dismissed the issue as “boring” and irrelevant. The speaker emphasized protecting the innocent while pursuing justice, noting the Oversight Committee’s subpoena of Ghislaine Maxwell, Epstein’s convicted associate, for a deposition.
The Epstein saga has exposed GOP fractures, with MAGA influencers and constituents flooding lawmakers’ offices with demands, leading to heated town halls during recess. Democrats have capitalized, nearly forcing a vote in July that could have embarrassed Republicans. Khanna criticized the partial release as insufficient, insisting the bill is still vital. Johnson, navigating these tensions, appears to be threading the needle: supporting transparency in principle while deferring to the administration to avoid a direct rebuke of Trump. With Congress reconvening September 9, the issue could resurface, potentially forcing a vote if the petition garners 218 signatures.
Response to the Minneapolis School Shooting: Calls for Dialogue Over Legislation
Johnson also addressed the tragic mass shooting at Annunciation Catholic School in Minneapolis on August 27, 2025, where a gunman killed two children and injured 18 others during a worship service. The incident, the deadliest school shooting since Uvalde in 2022, has reignited national debates on gun violence, with victims identified as 8-year-old Fletcher Merkel and 10-year-old Harper Moyski. When pressed on potential House action – such as enhanced background checks or mental health funding – Johnson demurred, avoiding endorsement of new legislation.
“Listen, it’s important that politicians on either side of the aisle do not politicize a moment like this,” he said, expressing condolences and openness to “that discussion.” He highlighted existing efforts like the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act of 2022, which expanded red-flag laws and mental health resources, but stopped short of committing to votes on Democratic priorities like assault weapons bans. Johnson pivoted to “root causes,” such as mental health and family support, aligning with Republican talking points that emphasize prevention over gun control.
The response drew immediate criticism from gun control advocates, including Everytown for Gun Safety, who accused Johnson of “inaction amid tragedy.” With midterm elections looming in 2026, the shooting – occurring in a swing district – could pressure Republicans in vulnerable seats. House Democrats, led by Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, have vowed to force votes on gun safety bills upon return, potentially testing Johnson’s slim majority.
Defending Trump’s ‘Big Beautiful Bill’ Amid Low Approval
Rounding out the interview, Johnson addressed the unpopularity of Trump’s signature tax and spending bill, passed in July 2025, which combines tax cuts for corporations and high earners with increased defense and border security funding. A Pew Research Center poll released earlier this month showed only 30% approval, with town halls during recess turning heated as constituents questioned its $2 trillion deficit impact amid 2.9% inflation.
Johnson pushed back, claiming the bill’s provisions – like child tax credits and small business deductions – are “extraordinary” and more popular when explained. “What we did over the August district work period is all the Republican members of Congress… fanned out across the country… and talked with the American people,” he said. He defended the moniker “big beautiful bill,” echoing Trump’s phrasing, and insisted “every single American is going to benefit from it,” despite Trump’s recent suggestion for a rebrand.
The bill, which includes $1.5 trillion in tax relief offset by cuts to social programs, has been criticized for exacerbating inequality, with the Congressional Budget Office projecting a 0.5% GDP drag from added debt. Johnson’s optimism contrasts with economic headwinds, including July’s weak jobs report and tariff-induced inflation, but he framed it as a “win for working families.”
Looking Ahead: A Busy September for the House
As Congress reconvenes, Johnson’s interview signals a House focused on unity under Trump while managing flashpoints like Epstein transparency and gun violence. The speaker’s balanced approach – defending reforms at CDC, cautiously addressing Epstein, and avoiding gun legislation – aims to appease the base without alienating moderates. With midterms on the horizon and Trump’s approval at 42%, these issues could define the GOP’s agenda. Democrats, sensing vulnerability, plan to leverage the Epstein petition and shooting for political gains.
The full interview airs on Good Morning America replays; transcripts are available on ABCNews.com. As the House returns, Johnson’s words will be scrutinized for clues on legislative priorities in a divided Washington.
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