Trump GOP foe reveals why White House refused to take Epstein files 'seriously'

U.S. Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.)and supporters of a recent petition to release the entirety of the Epstein investigation. (YouTube screenshot)

U.S. Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) and Ro Khanna (D-Calif.) are leading the charge to release files related to convicted sex-trafficker Jeffrey Epstein. Until recently, the Trump administration has led the fight against it, pressuring Republican members to abandon that effort. In an unexpected Sunday reversal, Trump backed GOP lawmakers to vote for the bill and claimed he would sign it if the legislation reached his desk.

But Massie told reporters at a press conference Tuesday that Trump may have taken his grip on Republican women in the House for granted, or even considered them the most likely weak spot to undermine the petition.

“They didn’t take us seriously over in the executive branch because they always thought they could flip one of these women, that they could convince or cajole or intimidate them into taking their names off this petition, but they did not succeed,” Massie told the crowd. “This is a victory for them and women all over the country.

Massie admitted that he did not have high hopes that the petition would pass considering the powerful people and offices aligned against it.

“We fought the president, the attorney general, the FBI director, the speaker of the House and even the vice president to get this win, but they’re on our side today,” Massie said. “So, let’s get them some credit as well. They’re finally on the side of justice.”

Trump has faced damaging criticism from both sides of the aisle on his handling of information related to Epstein and for his association with the convicted sex offender. Trump worked hard to bury the petition, labeling any supporter a “traitor.”

If the petition survives the vote in the House, Massie went on to advise Senate not to “muck it up.”

“Don’t get too cute. We’re all paying attention,” Massie said. “If you want to add some additional protection for these survivors go for it, but if you do anything to prevent disclosure, you are not for the people.”

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