URGENT UPDATE: Tensions escalate as the White House warns Republican lawmakers that pushing for the complete release of Jeffrey Epstein‘s files would be viewed as “a very hostile act” by President Donald Trump. The warning comes as the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee released over 33,000 documents related to Epstein on the evening of July 11, 2023.
Despite this release, which followed a closed-door meeting with multiple Epstein victims, critics argue that 97 percent of the documents are already public. This has intensified calls for further transparency, particularly led by Rep. Thomas Massie of Kentucky, who is pushing for a House vote to release all remaining files.
Massie and California Democrat Rep. Ro Khanna are spearheading a bipartisan effort, emphasizing the need for full disclosure. “People want these files released,” Massie stated, underscoring the significance of the issue beyond typical political concerns. He added, “You really can’t solve any of that if this place is corrupt.”
The bipartisan push gained momentum as Massie and Khanna filed a discharge petition on Tuesday to compel the release of all Epstein-related documents. Currently, they require two more GOP signatures to reach the necessary 218 votes, assuming all 212 Democrats support the measure. As of last night, notable Republican figures including Nancy Mace and Marjorie Taylor Greene have signed on, with Greene publicly backing Massie’s initiative.
In a deeply emotional moment, Mace, who left the meeting with victims in tears, revealed she is a “recent survivor,” highlighting the human impact of the Epstein scandal. Massie claims that the White House is actively trying to suppress support for the vote. “There’s a major pressure campaign from the White House right now,” he said, reiterating that many Republicans are listening to their constituents’ demands.
“Helping Thomas Massie and Liberal Democrats with their attention-seeking… would be viewed as a very hostile act to the administration,” a White House official told CNN.
Trump, who has previously avoided addressing the Epstein files directly, did not mention the topic on his Truth Social account on Tuesday. Massie asserts that even Trump’s supporters desire transparency. “I think he thinks he can just make this go away by telling people there’s nothing here,” Massie remarked, suggesting that GOP lawmakers may defy Trump’s stance.
The documents released by the Oversight Committee were reviewed by Democratic Ranking Member Robert Garcia, who criticized the move as a publicity stunt, stating, “There is no mention of any client list or anything that improves transparency or justice for victims.”
Khanna also reiterated the need for full transparency, stating, “The President of the United States ran on releasing the files… We need to have the overarching value of trust in government be there.” He urged for the release of all information that can be disclosed to the public.
This developing situation underscores the ongoing battle for transparency surrounding the Epstein case, with significant implications for victims and political dynamics within the GOP. As the vote draws closer, all eyes will be on Capitol Hill to see if Republican lawmakers will side with their constituents or align with Trump’s wishes.
The stakes are high, and the call for transparency resonates across party lines, making this a critical moment in the pursuit of justice for Epstein’s victims.