Reps. Massie, Khanna Seek House Vote on Releasing Epstein Files

Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) has initiated a discharge petition, co-sponsored by Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.), to force a House vote requiring the Department of Justice to release all unclassified files related to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The petition seeks full transparency without redactions, regardless of potential embarrassment or political sensitivity, and requires 218 signatures to bypass House leadership and bring the measure to a vote. This move reflects rare divisions within the Republican Party under President Donald Trump, who has faced backlash from his base over the DOJ's memo concluding Epstein's death was a suicide and that no "client list" was found. Massie, who has frequently opposed both Speaker Mike Johnson and President Trump, is using this procedural tool to challenge the administration's handling of the Epstein files amid growing demands for accountability. House Speaker Johnson has also called for more transparency on the matter, while Trump has expressed frustration over the controversy overshadowing his other priorities. The effort highlights ongoing tensions within the GOP and the broader political landscape surrounding the Epstein investigation.