U.S. Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) is not backing down from his fight to release the Jeffrey Epstein documents.
Massie teamed up with Democrats to try to bring a House vote about the release of the documents related to Epstein’s sex trafficking investigation. Massie has been an outspoken advocate for the release of the files despite fierce pushback from President Donald Trump’s administration.
Massie spoke about Monday’s release of the birthday letter sent to Epstein and purportedly signed by Trump, who denies writing the letter. The letter includes an outline of a naked woman, with a signature of Trump’s name at the end.
“I do think that it does bear on the credibility of the people who are trying to keep these documents from being released. I mean, I mean, it’s sort of indicative of the things that might come out if we were to release all of the files,“ Massie said about the letter, according to CNN’s Manu Raju, on Tuesday.
“In other words, embarrassing, but not indictable. And I don’t think avoiding embarrassment is a reason to avoid justice,” Massie added.
Trump and his allies have reiterated his claim that the Epstein case is a “Democrat hoax.” The president has also repeatedly lashed out at Massie, saying earlier this year that he wants the Republican to be voted out.
After lawmakers returned to Congress, Massie immediately reignited his effort to release the files related to Epstein’s sex trafficking case. Massie officially filed a discharge petition last week to force a House floor vote that would call on the Justice Department to release all of the files.
Massie would need six Republicans, including himself, to side with all of the Democrats to force a vote on the issue. As of Wednesday, Massie, Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.), Rep. Nancy Mace (R-S.C.) and Rep. Lauren Boebert (R-Colo.) are the only Republicans to sign the discharge petition.
Massie’s petition comes as Democrats on the House Oversight Committee have started looking into the Epstein documents.
The Justice Department in August began turning over records from the Epstein sex trafficking investigation to the House Oversight Committee.
The committee subpoenaed the Epstein estate for documents last month. In addition to the birthday book, lawmakers requested Epstein’s last will and testament, agreements he signed with prosecutors, his contact books, and his financial transactions and holdings.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com.
If you purchase a product or register for an account through a link on our site, we may receive compensation. By using this site, you consent to our User Agreement and agree that your clicks, interactions, and personal information may be collected, recorded, and/or stored by us and social media and other third-party partners in accordance with our Privacy Policy.
