Representative Thomas Massie stated President Trump may be protecting wealthy allies in Jeffrey Epstein’s case. Massie insists full government records should be made public to restore trust and transparency.
Massie told MSNBC’s Chris Hayes he does not believe Trump committed any crimes but suggested he might hide damaging information about friends. Massie stressed embarrassment cannot justify withholding important documents from the public.
Massie teamed with Representative Ro Khanna to launch a discharge petition aimed at forcing a House vote to disclose Epstein-related records, allowing public access to information concealed for years. The petition requires 218 signatures to bypass House leadership.
Both lawmakers expressed confidence in garnering the necessary support despite political resistance and internal pressure within Congress. They continue pushing for transparency amid ongoing investigation complexities and political challenges.
The House Oversight Committee recently released nearly 33,300 pages of documents supplied by the Justice Department after a subpoena. Critics said the release was heavily redacted and largely incomplete, offering little new information.
Lawmakers and advocates argued the release left victims lacking answers and seemed more performative, without truly revealing hidden truths or providing the clarity survivors need. The Justice Department and FBI confirmed no separate client list exists.
Oversight Chairman James Comer vowed the panel will continue pursuing records, witnesses, and evidence. The committee will issue subpoenas and requests until it secures proper access to materials linked to Epstein’s crimes.
Massie revealed wealthy donors who funded ads against his campaign appeared in Epstein’s contact book, underscoring the case’s potential reach into powerful circles requiring full transparency.
Survivors met privately with lawmakers, sharing painful stories. Lawmakers pledged to protect victims, seek accountability, and press for broader disclosure of concealed documents related to Epstein.
House leaders added a symbolic vote to the agenda emphasizing oversight. Speaker Mike Johnson called survivors’ meetings moving while focusing on balancing transparency and political pressures within Congress.
Advocates criticized the government’s scattered redactions, saying they undermine trust. They called for clear, organized disclosures balancing victim privacy with public information needs regarding Epstein’s enablers.
Committee records included police interviews, court files, and flight logs. Some logs revealed new flight details but remained incomplete, covering Epstein’s trips between 2000 and 2014.
Survivors and supporters plan to create independent archives believing official releases remain insufficient. They aim to uncover names and evidence authorities may still hide from the public.
Legal experts said privacy laws restrict victim information sharing, forcing lawmakers to balance survivor safety with transparency—a conflict complicating oversight and slowing investigations.
Massie and Khanna scheduled a news conference with Epstein survivors. They will continue collecting petition signatures, pressuring leadership, and building bipartisan support to secure a binding House vote.
Representative Ro Khanna highlighted the petition’s aim to restore trust in government and protect victim identities. Khanna said their bipartisan effort would hold powerful men accountable and compel full file releases.
Khanna expressed hope the House vote would pressure the President and Attorney General to release all documents. He emphasized victims’ stories, many never told publicly before, will help force transparency.
The political fight pressures President Trump, with some Republicans warning disclosures could embarrass allies and cause party divisions before the 2026 election cycle.
If the petition succeeds, it would force debate and a floor vote. Once a majority signs, House rules require leaders to bring it to a public vote.
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The Justice Department pledged ongoing document releases with sensitive redactions to protect survivors. Officials expect more records will reach the committee in coming weeks.
So far, the petition effort, highlighted by Mediaite, has maintained national focus on Epstein. Lawmakers, victims, and advocates expect a prolonged battle over how much can be disclosed without harming survivors or legal processes, according to thehill.
