GOP Rep. Says He'll Continue Pushing To Release All Epstein Files: 'We Should Get a Lot More Than Just The Book'

Republican Rep. Thomas Massie said he will continue pushing for the release of all files related to disgraced financier and sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein, including through a legislative push.

In an interview with ABC News, Massie said he will seek to advance a bill to subpoena Epstein's estate to obtain all documents related to the case, including those potentially involving President Donald Trump, among them a letter in a reported book prepared for Epstein's 50th birthday.

"Well, I think we should get a lot more than just the book. Let's get the financial records of the estate. Where is it, follow the money, as they say up here," Massie said during a passage of the interview. "It's not a subpoena. It's not a 'Pretty please, would you release the files?' It's the force of law and, it's got protections to redact victims' names and to prevent, you know, release of child pornography," he added.

The outlet added that Khanna and Massie are seeking a discharge petition, which would bypass House Speaker Mike Johnson if it gets 218 votes from lawmakers. Massie has harshly criticized Johnson for sending the House out for August recess a day early, blocking efforts to release the files.

Johnson rejected making such a decision, saying last week that "no one in Congress is blocking Epstein documents." However, he did criticize Massie's efforts, saying he disagreed with Republican-on-Republican attacks.

"Some people, I try to protect them from themselves. They kick and scream and bite their own colleagues. Some people seem to enjoy trying to inflict political pain on their teammates," Johnson said.

"I don't understand Thomas Massie's motivation, I really don't. I don't know how his mind works, I don't know what he's thinking," he continued.

The Louisiana Republican argued that Massie could have brought the petition up during the Biden administration, adding that he had "some concern" about a Republican not only doing so during the Trump administration, but also by teaming up with a Democrat.

Massie responded to the allegation on Friday: "I have questions after watching this video: Why would releasing the Epstein files cause political pain to congressmen, does avoiding political pain take priority over justice, and how exactly is the Speaker being [persecuted] by a vote on the Epstein files?" he wrote on X.

In the meantime, Department of Justice officials talked with Epstein associate Ghislaine Maxwell late last week, granting her limited immunity in exchange for providing 100 names to the Trump administration.

Maxwell, currently serving a 20-year sentence for coordinating a sex trafficking ring with Jeffrey Epstein, who died in federal custody in 2019, reportedly met for several hours on Thursday and Friday with Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche, according to multiple outlets.

While Markus emphasized that his client did not offer information in exchange for leniency, Maxwell was reportedly granted limited immunity, which is contingent on whether she tells the truth, NBC News reported.