Republicans Are Still In Disarray Over The Epstein Files
In dueling NBC News interviews on Sunday, Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) pushed for his bipartisan resolution calling for the release of the files, while House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) argued that the measure doesn't do enough to protect victims. (Massie and his co-sponsor, Democratic Rep. Ro Khanna of California, both disputed this claim and say there are privacy safeguards.)
Massie also slammed Johnson for adjourning the House early for recess, while Johnson defended his decision and said he wanted to bar Democrats from continuing to force votes in the Rules Committee and using the Epstein issue for political messaging.
'I don't know why it should be politically painful to be transparent,' Massie said in his interview.
Last week, Johnson wouldn't commit to holding a vote on another nonbinding Republican resolution that urges the Justice Department to release certain Epstein files, either. Instead, he called for 'the administration to have the space to do what it is doing' and said he'd consider further congressional action if it was 'necessary or appropriate.' Johnson also emphasized that there was no 'daylight' between his position and the White House's, and that both were interested in releasing 'credible' information from the Epstein files.
The disagreements between Massie and Johnson underscore a larger schism among House Republicans on the subject, which has consumed the party as GOP voters push for answers following years of top Trump administration officials elevating conspiracy theories about the convicted sex offender.
Since the Justice Department announced it wouldn't be releasing more Epstein files earlier this month, there's been fierce backlash from President Donald Trump's own base as voters demand information about the disgraced financier and his associates.
Certain Republicans, like Massie, have been vocal about providing that transparency and calling out the administration's handling of the issue, while others have deferred to Trump, who initially urged his supporters to move on. Following fierce blowback on the topic, Trump then changed his position, and pushed for the disclosure of grand jury testimony on Epstein, which a judge has declined to release.
Massie and Johnson's interviews on Sunday suggest the issue — and the party's divide over it — aren't going away.
Prominent MAGA conservatives including Reps. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.), Lauren Boebert (R-Colo.) and Tim Burchett (R-Tenn.) are among those who've signed on to back Massie and Khanna's resolution. If successful, the two lawmakers could force a House vote on compelling the Justice Department to release the Epstein files, which could underscore GOP splits on the subject even further.
Massie warned Sunday that inaction on the Epstein files could come back to haunt the party in upcoming elections.
'This is going to hurt Republicans in the midterms,' he said. 'The voters will be apathetic if we don't hold the rich and powerful accountable.'
Related...
Ro Khanna Says Mike Johnson's Decision To Shut Down The House Early Speaks Volumes
Mike Johnson Shuts Down House Early To Block Vote On Jeffrey Epstein Files
Sen. Graham Calls For 'Investigation' Into Obama — Playing Into Trump's Epstein Distraction
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