Trump news at a glance: Mike Johnson wades into Epstein files row in rare split with the president

US House speaker calls for release of files as conservative backlash continues. Key US politics stories from Tuesday 16 July

US House speaker Mike Johnson has waded into the Epstein files saga that is roiling Donald Trump's conservative base - by calling on the justice department to release the Epstein files.

Johnson, a key ally of the US president, was asked about the controversy during an interview for a rightwing podcast. It's a very delicate subject, but we should put everything out there and let the people decide it," Johnson told Benny Johnson, in comments released on Tuesday. I agree with the sentiment that we need to put it out there."