'We have the votes': Reps push for Epstein files' release

[BumRushDaShow]

Source: USA Today

Updated Sept. 7, 2025, 12:33 p.m. ET


WASHINGTON − Reps. Thomas Massie, R-Kentucky, and Ro Khanna, D-California, are voicing optimism about their ability to force an unsanitized release of the Justice Department's files on convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. "We have the votes," Khanna said Sept. 7 on ABC News' “This Week with George Stephanopoulos.” "I think we're going to get a resounding vote on this," Massie told Stephanopoulos during the same program.

The Republican and Democratic organizers behind a petition that would force a House vote on the files' release said they were undeterred by concerns that Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-South Dakota, might seek to block the legislation in the Senate, or that the Justice Department might scrub information on Republicans and other allies before releasing documents.

"I think (Thune is) going to be under more pressure than he realizes," Massie told Stephanopoulos. "He should do the right thing."

Khanna said government career officials and at least one lawyer for Epstein accusers have seen the files, which would make it harder for the Justice Department to scrub the documents to shield friends or allies of President Donald Trump, who has resisted calls for the files' full release. Trump and Epstein were friends for more than a decade in the 1990s and early 2000s.

Read more: https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2025/09/07/massie-khanna-jeffrey-epstein-files-legislation/86026743007/

[CaliforniaPeggy]

1. This is hopeful news! Let it happen. n/t

[calimary]

2. And we have the eyeballs. I certainly want to see it.

And I want to see it ALL. THE WHOLE DAMN THING. Names and all.

[everyonematters]

3. I wouldn't get too excited. Trump's people will fudge it.

When the Democrat's win the House, they will have to do their own investigation. That is why Trump is so frightened of losing the midterms, and they are doing this gerrymandering.

[BumRushDaShow]

5. "I wouldn't get too excited. Trump's people will fudge it."

From the OP excerpt -

Khanna said government career officials and at least one lawyer for Epstein accusers have seen the files, which would make it harder for the Justice Department to scrub the documents to shield friends or allies of President Donald Trump, who has resisted calls for the files' full release.

[everyonematters]

6. Then the accusers lawyers and the career officials will have to be interviewed.

[BumRushDaShow]

7. I expect that Congress *could* do that

if they shame Comer enough about continuing to aid in the cover-up!

[no_hypocrisy]

4. It's significant b/c it could be the first small step of non-MAGA Republicans

trying to end this nightmare. Let's see what they'll do next.

[Callie1979]

8. Cannot BELIEVE that MTG is a co-sponsor going against trump

She even said if the women make a list of the offenders, she will take the list & read it on the House floor

[Karasu]

9. She owes her entire political career to QAnon, and has decided to put her conspiracy theories over her loyalty to Trump.

Ironically enough, that's the main reason why she's on the right side here.

[Callie1979]

11. But to the Q idiots, its only DEMOCRATS who abused these women

How can she square that?

[Kablooie]

10. Oh it would be nice if it was released and unredacted.

I have little hope it will happen.
Sure, the laws and rules and votes may allow it but it apparently will hurt some Republicans and possibly Trump so I won’t be surprised when some obscure law is dragged out that will overcome every other law and block release from ever happening.