The House is leaving Washington a day early for it's five-week August recess after tensions erupted over efforts to force release of the Jeffrey Epstein files. Why it matters: Fallout from the debate over the Epstein files has effectively frozen House business.

And here’s the other thing: the administration is still backtracking on the Epstein files, despite Trump’s declarations of victory. Now they are hoping Epstein’s co-conspirator will have some names for them, as Allison Quinn explains:

Republicans are leaving town early as leaders struggle with how to handle the Jeffrey Epstein files, but they promise "no daylight" between the House and Trump.

Trump has unspooled comments on a litany of controversies, all of which seem designed to distract attention from the Jeffrey Epstein case.

With backlash from his base not abating, the Justice Dept. asked a federal judge to unseal grand jury transcripts related to Epstein's 2019 indictment.

Donald Trump has a history of using smokescreens to dodge scandals. Trying to get the Commanders to change their name is the latest attempt.

The daughter of Martin Luther King Jr. said the White House should make public the files on financier-turned-sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.