Libertarian Lawmaker Urges Republicans to Support Epstein File Release
In a recent warning to Republican colleagues, Libertarian Representative Thomas Massie from Kentucky highlighted that President Trump may not provide lasting protection for them if they resist the complete release of the Epstein files.
Massie, alongside Democratic Representative Ro Khanna from California, gained enough backing to push the House of Representatives to vote this week on a bill. This legislation would compel the Justice Department to release all information related to the notorious figure Jeffrey Epstein, while ensuring the confidentiality of his victims’ identities.
“I want to remind my Republican colleagues who are deciding how to vote: Donald Trump can shield you in red districts by supporting him now, but he won’t be president in 2030. If you don’t vote to release the files, you are essentially supporting a pedophile,” Massie stated during an appearance on ABC’s “This Week.”
Massie continued, “This voting record will endure beyond President Trump’s time in office.”
This summer, President Trump faced backlash within the MAGA community about Epstein after a contentious FBI memo indicated that, contrary to public speculation, Epstein died by suicide and did not keep an incriminating list of clients.
Massie has been particularly criticized by Trump for opposing the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. He collaborated with Khanna to bypass the Republican leadership in pushing for a vote on the Epstein files.
Though their efforts were stalled due to the government shutdown and the August break, the vote is finally imminent.
House Speaker Mike Johnson from Louisiana dismissed the proposal as “moot,” emphasizing that the Republican-led House Oversight Committee is currently investigating Epstein’s case, having already released thousands of documents.
However, Massie asserted the necessity for a comprehensive clarification and believes the timing is conducive for progress.
“I think there could be a significant number of Republicans, maybe over 100,” he noted. “When this bill comes to a vote, we’re hopeful to achieve a majority that supports it.”
Commenting on the controversy surrounding the files, Massie remarked, “This president insists it’s a hoax. Well, if it is, we need to investigate that hoax.”
Recently, Trump announced he had requested the Justice Department to scrutinize former President Bill Clinton, JPMorgan & Chase, former Treasury Secretary Larry Summers, and LinkedIn founder Reid Hoffman in relation to the Epstein files.
Massie expressed concern that these investigations could serve as a “big smokescreen” to block the release of all Epstein-related documents.
On Friday, Trump took aim at Massie from a personal angle, criticizing him for remarrying shortly after the death of his first wife last year.
Trump used Truth Social to remark, “Boy, that was quick! No wonder the polls give him less than an 8% chance of winning the election. Anyway, have a great life, Thomas (?). His wife will soon find herself a loser!”
The Kentucky representative brushed off Trump’s remarks, calling him a “bully,” and joked that his new wife should have been invited to the wedding to dodge the president’s ire. Despite the ridicule directed at him, Massie emphasized that he doesn’t believe the Epstein files would implicate Trump but feels he is “trying to protect a circle of rich and influential friends, including billionaires and campaign contributors.”
Even if Massie and Khanna’s initiative to release the Epstein files successfully passes the House, it remains uncertain whether the Senate will take it up.
