Thomas Massie: Mike Johnson’s Delay Caused 'Political Pain' in Fight Over Epstein Files

Massie Accuses Speaker Johnson of Delaying Release of Epstein Records

Rep. Thomas Massie sharply criticized House Speaker Mike Johnson for what he called months of deliberate delay in bringing a vote to release Justice Department records connected to Jeffrey Epstein. Massie said the speaker's actions created both political and moral "pain," and that the matter should have been brought to the floor much earlier.

Massie, who teamed up with Democrat Rep. Ro Khanna to lead a discharge petition forcing the issue, said the delay was unnecessary and damaging. Their effort gained momentum after Democrat Adelita Grijalva was sworn in, providing the final signature needed to push the petition to a recorded House vote.

“I think he finally learned his lesson. He should have brought this to the floor back in July or September. He drug this out,” Massie told the Washington Post, adding that earlier action would have been both politically and morally stronger.

Khanna, Massie’s co-lead on the petition, echoed concerns that the delay could hurt Republican standing with their base. "The base really wants it. A lot of MAGA wants it out, a lot of their base wants it out," Khanna said, arguing that transparency on the files matters to voters across the aisle.

After Grijalva’s swearing-in, the petition reached the threshold for a recorded vote. Speaker Johnson has said the vote will take place this week.

On X, Massie urged both Johnson and former President Donald Trump to encourage members to vote in favor of releasing the documents, saying the vote could be "big for survivors of Epstein’s sex trafficking scheme."

“Next week could be big for survivors of Epstein’s sex trafficking scheme. We are forcing a recorded vote in the House on releasing the Epstein files. @realDonaldTrump & @SpeakerJohnson can still be on the right side by encouraging a YEA vote,” Massie wrote.

Johnson pushed back on the criticism during an interview on Fox News Sunday, pointing out that the Justice Department under the Biden administration had possessed the files for years. "They’re doing this to go after President Trump on this theory that he has something to do with it. He does not," Johnson said, disputing the motive behind the discharge effort.

Massie also suggested that political considerations surrounding Trump may have slowed progress, though he maintained Trump’s innocence regarding Epstein-related allegations. "I think this is all about the president trying to protect his friends and his donors," Massie told the Washington Post.

The White House responded to the dispute by saying the Trump administration had taken steps it believes aided victims, including releasing documents and cooperating with subpoenas. A White House spokesperson accused Democrats of using the issue to score political points.

What Happens Next

With the petition now at the required threshold, the House is set for a recorded vote on the release of the Epstein-related files. The outcome will depend on whether leaders and high-profile figures urge members to support the release, and the vote could have ramifications for both transparency advocates and members worried about political fallout.