Republican Congressman Thomas Massie says he’s not backing down from his push to fully expose the Jeffrey Epstein files—and he’s ready to use the force of law to do it.
In a recent interview with ABC News, Massie revealed plans to advance legislation that would compel the release of all documents tied to the Epstein case, including financial records and personal correspondences. That could include files mentioning President Donald Trump, like a rumored letter in a commemorative book created for Epstein’s 50th birthday.
“Well, I think we should get a lot more than just the book,” Massie said. “Let’s get the financial records of the estate. Where is it? Follow the money, as they say up here.”
He emphasized the move would go beyond polite requests. “It’s not a ‘pretty please, would you release the files?’ It’s the force of law—with safeguards to redact victims’ names and block release of any illegal materials,” he said.
Massie, alongside Democratic Rep. Ro Khanna, is backing a discharge petition to force a floor vote on the bill. If they can gather 218 signatures, they can bypass House Speaker Mike Johnson and bring the measure to the full House.
Speaker Johnson has pushed back on the effort, denying any obstruction of Epstein-related documents. “No one in Congress is blocking Epstein documents,” Johnson said last week. But he criticized Massie’s approach, calling it divisive.
“Some people, I try to protect them from themselves. They kick and scream and bite their own colleagues,” Johnson said. “I don’t understand Thomas Massie’s motivation. I really don’t.”
Johnson also suggested Massie should have raised the issue under the Biden administration, questioning his timing now that President Trump is back in office—and his decision to partner with a Democrat.
Massie responded Friday with a pointed post on X (formerly Twitter):
“I have questions after watching this video: Why would releasing the Epstein files cause political pain to congressmen? Does avoiding political pain take priority over justice? And how exactly is the Speaker being persecuted by a vote on the Epstein files?”
In a related development, sources confirmed that Ghislaine Maxwell, Epstein’s longtime associate now serving a 20-year sentence for trafficking, met with Justice Department officials late last week. NBC News reports Maxwell was granted limited immunity in exchange for providing the Trump administration with the names of 100 individuals allegedly connected to Epstein’s network.
Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche reportedly conducted the meetings over two days. While Maxwell’s legal team insists no leniency was requested, her immunity deal hinges on full cooperation and truthfulness, according to DOJ officials.
