Massie: ‘100 or more’ House Republicans could vote to release Epstein files

Republican Rep. Thomas Massie made a bold statement on Sunday, suggesting that there could be a significant number of Republicans who would support the release of all the Jeffrey Epstein files by the Department of Justice. Massie expressed his hope of garnering a veto-proof majority for the legislation during an interview with ABC News’ “This Week” co-anchor Jonathan Karl. Massie was one of four Republicans who broke ranks with President Donald Trump and sided with Democrats in signing a discharge petition that led to the upcoming vote.

The decision to push for the release of the Epstein files comes on the heels of the House Oversight Committee’s release of over 20,000 documents, including emails and text messages involving Epstein, some of which mention President Trump. In response, Trump dismissed the files as a “hoax” and urged Attorney General Pam Bondi to launch an investigation into several prominent Democrats for their ties to Epstein.

Massie raised concerns about the potential motives behind these investigations, suggesting that they could be a tactic to prevent the release of the Epstein files. He emphasized the importance of transparency and ensuring that the truth is revealed to the public.

On the Democratic side, Sen. Chris Murphy joined the conversation on “This Week,” criticizing Trump’s call for investigations into Democrats as a misuse of power. Murphy accused the Department of Justice of operating as a tool to protect Trump and target his political adversaries, posing a threat to the integrity of democracy.

Trump has previously distanced himself from Epstein, claiming that he severed ties with him in the early 2000s after learning of Epstein’s alleged misconduct. Despite Trump’s association with Epstein in the past, he has not faced any criminal allegations related to the Epstein case.

The discussions between Massie and Murphy shed light on the ongoing controversy surrounding the Epstein case and the political implications it holds. As the push for transparency intensifies, the release of the Epstein files could potentially reveal new information and shed light on the extent of Epstein’s connections and activities.