Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) said he assumes “at least some of Trump’s friends” could be among the many people named in Jeffrey Epstein’s files, but said authorities may be hesitant to release information that could name people who actually did nothing wrong.
Massie, a cosponsor of a bill that would require the Justice Department to release the Epstein files, is hopeful the measure will come up for a vote when the House returns in September.
“The thing about the files that everybody needs to understand is there are probably lots of names in there who haven’t done anything criminal, and so there’s a reluctance to release these files because of the embarrassment just having your name on the news in these files. And I always presumed that there were at least some of Trump’s friends named in this, and that might be why,” Massie told reporters Wednesday.
The Trump administration in recent days has released a number of other files of interest to the MAGA base, including some on Russian efforts to influence the 2016 election and others related to Hillary Clinton’s email server and the assassination of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.
But if designed to be a distraction, it doesn’t appear to be working, as many of Trump’s supporters are still demanding to see information on the Epstein case.
Massie said he expected anticipation on the Epstein issue to build over the coming recess, noting members may face questions on their position on the files as they head to town halls.
“I think this issue will not dissipate. I think it will grow over the August recess,” he said.
He also faulted Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) for recessing the House a day earlier than expected rather than taking a vote on the controversial measure.
“I think he’s just trying to do Trump a favor, that makes sense? He doesn’t want a paper thin sliver of daylight between him and the president, and so that’s why he’s avoided taking even the symbolic vote on the nonbinding resolution,” Massie said.
