Massie hints more Republicans may back releasing Epstein files

Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., hinted this week that more Republicans in the House may vote to release the Epstein files following the success of his discharge petition forcing a vote on the issue.

Massie has bucked President Donald Trump in his pursuit of a public release of the documents and managed to secure 218 signatures to force a vote after House Speaker Mike Johnson swore in Rep. Adelita Grijalva, D-Ariz. Only a handful of Republicans backed the petition, but Massie stated that he expected a large number of Republicans to back the measure on the floor vote.

“I’ve already had a couple Republicans tell my office privately that they’re going to vote for it,” he said on CNN. "And I think that could snowball."

“The deal for Republicans on this vote is that Trump will protect you if you vote the wrong way,” he added. “In other words, if you vote to cover up for pedophiles, you’ve got cover in a Republican primary.”

Epstein was at the center of a sex-trafficking operation and committed suicide while in prison. His madame, Ghislaine Maxwell, is currently serving prison time. The scandal has had international ramifications, with Prince Andrew losing his royal titles over his association with Epstein.

Ben Whedon is the Chief Political Correspondent at Just the News. Follow him on X.