Lawmaker Faces Criticism Over Epstein-Related Demand, Future in Congress Questioned

In a revealing interview with Politico this week, Rep. Thomas Massie of Kentucky disclosed that he once attempted to trade his vote on key legislation for public recognition of his efforts to release Jeffrey Epstein-related government files. This admission has sparked criticism from within his own party and highlighted tensions in the House Republican caucus.

Massie told Politico he offered his support on a crucial vote to House Speaker Mike Johnson in exchange for “a press release thanking me for my good work on the Epstein Files Transparency Act.” The speaker apparently declined the offer, choosing instead to secure votes through other means.

“I wanted to see if the speaker would admit that it was a mistake to oppose the bill,” Massie explained to Fox News Digital. “But even with all the new revelations about depraved and illegal activity of rich and powerful men, the speaker refused to acknowledge the success of the Epstein Files Transparency Act.”

The revelation prompted sharp rebuke from fellow House Republican Derrick Van Orden of Wisconsin, who stated, “Anyone who uses the victims of Epstein’s horrific sexual abuse to advance a political agenda or chase public recognition should seriously reconsider their line of work.”

Conservative commentators also criticized Massie’s approach. Ryan Saavedra, a right-wing influencer, wrote on X: “Coming soon to a campaign ad: Thomas Massie requires that he be praised publicly in order to secure his vote in Congress.” Sean Davis, founder of “The Federalist,” commented that “it really is all ego-driven.”

Others defended Massie, with one social media user noting that while the request might appear “childish on the surface,” it reflects the political realities of Washington where Massie “constantly gets crapped on by conservatives.”

Last year, Massie led a bipartisan effort to pass the Epstein Files Transparency Act, aimed at compelling the Department of Justice to release nearly all information on Epstein’s sex trafficking case. The legislation faced initial opposition from House Republican leadership and former President Donald Trump, who argued the bill lacked sufficient protections for victims’ identities.

Despite this initial resistance, the bill ultimately passed with near-unanimous support in the House, with only Rep. Clay Higgins (R-La.) voting against it.

Matthew Green, professor of politics at The Catholic University of America, suggested Massie’s request highlights Speaker Johnson’s reliance on Trump’s support. “What he was actually asking for, to my mind, was illustrating how closely Republican leadership is or has to be aligned with President Trump,” Green said.

The situation takes on added significance given the razor-thin Republican majority in the House. Following Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene’s resignation and Rep. Doug LaMalfa’s sudden death in January, Republicans hold just a one-vote advantage until the special election to fill Greene’s seat in March.

In this precarious environment, Massie’s consistent independence has complicated Johnson’s efforts to advance Republican priorities. Massie has positioned himself as one of Trump’s most vocal GOP critics in the House, creating tension with the former president’s supporters.

Before the vote on the Epstein Files Transparency Act, Trump had publicly condemned the effort, calling it the “Democrat Epstein Hoax” in a post on Truth Social and urging Massie to abandon his push.

Green believes Massie knew his request would be denied. “If Johnson said yes, it would be not only going against what he had said about the bill himself, but also potentially upsetting President Trump,” Green explained. However, he noted it was significant that Massie was willing to negotiate at all.

The episode underscores the complex dynamics within the House Republican conference, where individual members can leverage their votes in a closely divided chamber, but must also navigate relationships with party leadership and the former president’s continued influence over the GOP.