Massie Blasts DOJ Over Missed Epstein Files Deadline, Threatens Contempt Action
Republican Rep. Thomas Massie confirmed he’s escalating a high-stakes fight over the release of government files tied to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, claiming the Trump administration and Justice Department are trying to keep key documents from the public. According to Massie and other lawmakers, the controversy matters now because legal deadlines have been missed despite a law requiring full disclosure.
The conflict pits GOP transparency advocates against the Department of Justice, which has so far released only partial, heavily redacted documents that critics say fall short of the statutory requirement. Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche acknowledged the department will not meet the statutory deadline, citing victim privacy concerns, a move Massie and others call unacceptable.
Key facts: Massie co-sponsored the Epstein Files Transparency Act, passed 427–1 in the House and signed by Donald Trump, forcing release of all unclassified Epstein-related DOJ records within 30 days. The DOJ has delivered “hundreds of thousands” of files, but many remain redacted or withheld, and some were briefly removed after publication.
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Lawmakers now argue this pattern of delay undermines the law’s intent and may shield politically connected figures. “The DOJ needs to quit protecting the rich, powerful, and politically connected,” Massie wrote on social media.
Why it matters?
Beyond partisan optics, the push for transparency follows years of public demand for answers about Epstein’s network and the justice system’s handling of the case.
Next steps…
Massie and Democrat Ro Khanna plan to pursue contempt of Congress proceedings against Attorney General Pam Bondi if the remaining files aren’t released.
The legal and political battle over Epstein’s files is far from over.
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