‘It’s Really Bad for Republicans’: Conservative Congressman Says He Doesn’t Care How Epstein Files Make His Party Look

Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY) said that even though the Jeffrey Epstein files saga has been a nightmare for Republicans, they should release all the files and “put it behind them” as soon as possible.

Massie and Rep. Ro Khanna (D-CA) have introduced a resolution forcing the release of all material relating to the dead child sex trafficker and financier. The bipartisan push comes after President Donald Trump, a former friend of Epstein’s, disappointed many in his MAGA base by not releasing the files, which they believe criminally implicate prominent figures.

Massie has irked Republican leadership by attempting to force a vote on his resolution, which Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) has refused to bring to the floor for a vote.

On Wednesday, CNN’s Manu Raju caught up with Massie at the Capitol, where the lawmaker said the Epstein fiasco has been “really bad for Republicans”:

I care most about the policy here, not the politics of it. But politically, it’s really bad for Republicans. They should just have this vote and put it behind them. Eighty percent of Republicans, it’s not just independents and Democrats who want these files released, 80% of Republicans support releasing these files. So, they’re at odds with our base right now, and particularly the MAGA base.

Earlier in the day, Massie attended a rally outside the Capitol with Khanna, Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA), and victims of Epstein. Speaking on MSNBC on Tuesday night, Massie said he believes Trump is covering for people he knows.

“I think the best way to clear President Trump’s name is to release all the files. I actually don’t think he’s done anything criminal,” the congressman said. “I think he may be covering for some rich and powerful people that are friends of his.”

Watch above via CNN.