Outgoing Trump foe Massie forces new Epstein files showdown

Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) has amassed the necessary 218 signatures to put forward another showdown over the Jeffrey Epstein files, just a day after fellow Republicans thwarted his previous attempt to impeach Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. The significance lies in Congress's previous overwhelming vote to release the Epstein files last year, yet survivors and lawmakers claim the Trump administration continues to withhold records.

The new legislation would empower them to sue the Department of Justice (DOJ) and facilitate state prosecutors in pursuing investigations. Massie announced Wednesday that his discharge petition for the Epstein Files Transparency Act II had reached the required 218 signatures, with John Garamendi (D-Calif.) providing the final one.

Four Republicans signed, while the remaining 214 came from Democrats. Massie is collaborating with Reps. Jayapal, TeresaLF, and Ro Khanna on getting the bill to the floor for a vote. The White House and Speaker Mike Johnson's offices have yet to comment. This latest move could prompt Republicans to revisit a scandal that plagued the Trump administration for over a year, even after Congress mandated the release of Epstein's files.

Massie and Rep. Khanna spearheaded the initial effort to force the release of the Epstein files, which passed the House 427-1 in November 2025 after securing enough signatures to bypass Speaker Johnson. President Trump subsequently signed the law into effect, mandating the release of investigative records by December 19, 2025, with limited exceptions to protect victims, ongoing investigations, and other sensitive information.

Despite the deadline, the DOJ missed it but announced the release of nearly 3.5 million pages in January. Critics, including Epstein survivors and lawmakers, accuse the DOJ of withholding crucial information while inadequately redacting sensitive details, potentially exposing victims. A report by the Republican-led House Oversight Committee criticized the Trump administration's handling of disclosures, emphasizing failures to safeguard victims and excessive redactions that conceal alleged co-conspirators.

However, the investigation found no evidence linking Trump to Epstein's crimes. Massie's petition is anticipated to be eligible for a floor vote by early December, with ample legislative days remaining under the House's current schedule. However, passage remains uncertain, and Senate Republican leaders may still refuse to consider the measure before the new Congress convenes in January.