The latest effort by Trump subordinates is intended to quell a political crisis precipitated by the department’s announcement that it would not release more files related to the Epstein investigation.

Republican House speaker Mike Johnson said he is shutting down House operations early this week, sending lawmakers home today ahead of a five-week recess.

The Justice Department last week asked the judge to release records to quell a storm among supporters of President Donald Trump who believe there was a conspiracy to protect Epstein’s clients, concea...