Speaker Johnson Comments on Rep. Massey’s Re-Election Bid
Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) addressed reporters on Tuesday, offering a mix of congratulations and critiques regarding Rep. Thomas Massey’s (R-Ky.) re-election efforts. While he acknowledged Massey’s tenacity, he stopped short of backing him, instead making several veiled remarks about the Republican member from Kentucky.
Many Republicans are wary of Massey’s bipartisan resolution to publicly release documents related to the Jeffrey Epstein case. Massey has committed to pushing for a vote through discharge petitions, a strategy that is seldom utilized by lawmakers.
As Massey gears up for his re-election next year, he faces significant opposition, particularly after drawing the ire of former President Trump due to his actions surrounding U.S. airstrikes on Iran and his criticism of party members opposing key legislation. Trump’s allies are reportedly channeling resources into efforts to unseat certain lawmakers.
Johnson openly expressed his frustration with Massey and potential challengers during his remarks. “As the leader of my party, my role is to protect incumbents,” he stated at a Capitol press conference. He went on to highlight his extensive fundraising efforts for this cause, totaling over $300 million.
Furthermore, he pointed out that some members, in his view, seem inclined to undermine their own colleagues. “They kick and scream and bite their colleagues,” he remarked, hinting at the internal conflicts within the party. Johnson implied that he’s far more irritated by these dynamics than others might be.
In a somewhat ambiguous statement, Johnson noted, “I’m not quite sure what Thomas Massey is thinking,” reflecting on the unpredictability of Massey’s motives.
Currently, the conflict between Massey and Johnson revolves around Massey’s push for transparency about the Epstein documents. He, along with Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.), has garnered a number of co-sponsors—including at least 10 Republicans—and is determined to use discharge petitions to advance his cause.
According to procedural rules, a vote on this matter won’t occur until September. Discharge petitions are a way to compel a vote despite leadership’s opposition, requiring a minimum of 218 signatures to proceed.
Massey expressed his desire for transparency, stating he believes the issue won’t fade away, particularly after years of public demand for these files. He also criticized the President for calling the requests a “hoax.”
The House is set to pause for a week-long August recess, right before the Rules Committee was expected to address the Epstein situation. Democratic members have pledged to push for votes on panel revisions, which could further complicate matters for Republicans concerned about their base’s reactions.
In his comments, Johnson also expressed skepticism about the timing of Massey’s discharge petition, questioning why he didn’t try to release these files during the Biden administration. He pointed out that Massey could have made this push anytime in the last few years, but only now seems to be advocating for it.
“There’s a sense of urgency that seems misplaced,” Johnson remarked, voicing his concerns. He did, however, highlight his commitment to following Ronald Reagan’s adage of not criticizing fellow Republicans—a sentiment he believes is necessary in the current political climate.
When queried about Massey’s assertion that his actions might provoke backlash from GOP lawmakers later, Johnson countered, implying that Massey’s strategy may be more divisive than productive.
Johnson, who has sat in Congress since 2012, noted that since then, allies of Trump have sought to oust Kentucky Republicans. Recently, a pro-Trump PAC initiated campaigns against Massey, amplifying the former president’s critiques of him.
Trump himself has been vocal, labeling Massey “the worst Republican Congressman” and calling him “an embarrassment for Kentucky.”
