Why these 12 Republicans want the Epstein files released
Here is a rundown of Republicans who have defied Donald Trump in seeking more information on the Jeffrey Epstein saga, and the reasons they gave.
A dozen House Republicans from different corners of the party are defying President Trump and party leadership to back a bipartisan effort seeking more information relating to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
The bill led by Rep. Thomas Massie (Republican, Kentucky) would demand that the attorney general disclose all materials from the federal investigation into Epstein, with some exceptions to protect victims’ identities and redact explicit material. Rep. Ro Khanna (Democrat, California), the lead Democrat on the measure, said he expects all Democrats and some Republicans will sign on to their discharge petition to force a vote over the objections of House Speaker Mike Johnson (Republican, Louisiana).
Johnson has criticised the Massie measure as poorly crafted and favours allowing a vote on an alternative, nonbinding measure. Johnson said on CNN he wants “everything to come out about the Epstein evils that is possible to be released.”
Trump has called the Epstein files a “hoax.” A possible vote would come in September, once lawmakers are back from August recess.
Here is a rundown of the Republican lawmakers who back the Epstein bill — and the reasons they gave, drawn from interviews, media appearances, social media and town-hall events.
Tom Barrett, Michigan, aged 44
First term in office
Barrett arrived on Capitol Hill after flipping the seat vacated by now-Senator Elissa Slotkin (Democrat, Michigan). He campaigned on lowering taxes and boosting immigration enforcement, and won Trump’s endorsement for re-election.
Why he supports the Epstein measure: “There are too many questions and not enough answers about the Epstein files. I agree that it’s time to release them, which is why I put my name on a resolution to force their release and give the American people the transparency they deserve.”
Lauren Boebert, Colorado, aged 38
Third term in office
Boebert, who ran a gun-themed restaurant called Shooters Grill before coming to Washington, quickly became a face of the MAGA movement. She tweeted “Today is 1776” on the day of the Jan. 6, 2021 Capitol attack and booed former President Joe Biden during the State of the Union. She has had stumbles in her personal life and took a big risk by switching congressional districts in the most recent election but won easily. Trump recently endorsed her for re-election and called her a “MAGA warrior.”
Why she supports the Epstein measure: “We want to see the list. Period. I don’t care what names are on it. I want to see what names are on it and why.”
Tim Burchett, Tennessee, aged 60
Fourth term in office
A conservative with an independent streak, Burchett was one of eight GOP lawmakers who voted to oust then-Speaker Kevin McCarthy (Republican, California). He was among the holdouts on the tax-and-spending bill who then backed it after a meeting with Trump.
Why he supports the Epstein measure: “Ultimately, I don’t answer to the president or the voters. I’m going to answer to my maker as a Christian.”
Eric Burlison, Missouri, aged 48
Second term in office
A member of the House Freedom Caucus, Burlison has been rated one of the most conservative members of Congress by several political groups. He was among the GOP holdouts on the party’s “big, beautiful bill” over budget-deficit concerns — but supported it after a meeting at the White House.
Why he supports the Epstein measure: “This is not about politics. It’s about principle. When government hides abuse, it’s our job to uncover it.”
Eli Crane, Arizona, aged 45
Second term in office
Also a House Freedom Caucus member, he flipped a Democratic-held seat in 2022. On Capitol Hill, he has promoted conspiracy theories surrounding assassination attempts on Trump and moved to impeach a judge who blocked DOGE’s efforts to access Americans’ financial records.
Why he supports the Epstein measure: “I believe transparency should be the hallmark of every administration whether they’re Democrat or Republican.”
Marjorie Taylor Greene, Georgia, aged 51
Third term in office
Despite ticking off members of both parties with her incendiary comments, the MAGA loyalist now holds a gavel as chair of the DOGE cost-cutting subcommittee. She has been a staunch supporter of Trump but has recently publicly split with the administration on some issues. She broke with her party to become the first GOP lawmaker to call Israel’s actions in Gaza “genocide.”
Why she supports the Epstein measure: “I will never protect pedophiles or the elites and their circles.”
Nancy Mace, South Carolina, aged 47
Third term in office
Once a political moderate who declined to challenge the results of the 2020 presidential election as other Republicans did, Mace shifted to the right and ultimately endorsed Trump in 2024. She recently launched a run for governor, dubbing herself “Trump in high heels” and promising to be a “super MAGA governor.”
Why she supports the Epstein measure: “I’ve always been an advocate for women and children. The Jeffrey Epstein case is no different. I want to see arrests.”
Thomas Massie, Kentucky, aged 54
Seventh term in office
The libertarian has clashed with Trump on various issues, including deficit spending and foreign policy, and has faced repeated public attacks from the president. Trump’s allies have spent more than $1 million on attack ads in an effort to oust him. Massie recently criticised Trump’s strikes on Iran and refused to back Trump’s “big, beautiful” tax-and-spending law.
Why he supports the Epstein measure: “This transcends all other issues. This is about whether there’s an elite and powerful group of people who are above the law or whether they answer to the law. And that’s what this is about. And right now, anybody who wants to subvert or keep the Epstein files secret, they are on the wrong side.”
Max Miller, Ohio, aged 36
Second term in office
Miller served as a political appointee in the first Trump administration before running for office. He has backed the president throughout his career, including by supporting claims that the 2020 election was “rigged.” Trump endorsed him for re-election.
Why he supports the Epstein measure: “I believe in transparency and delivering the truth to the American people.”
Cory Mills, Florida, aged 45
Second term in office
Mills served as a Trump appointee on the Defence Business Board before running for office. A Trump loyalist, he co-sponsored an effort to impeach former President Biden in 2023. Earlier this year, he introduced a bill to codify the creation and implementation of the Department of Government Efficiency into law.
Why he supports the Epstein measure: “This is a bipartisan issue, where no one wants to see women and children being sexually exploited, trafficked or in some way having this predatory manner. And so I think that it’s a universal thing, that we want those who have actually committed these types of crimes to be held accountable.”
Keith Self, Texas, aged 72
Second term in office
A member of the hard-line House Freedom Caucus, Self was a holdout vote on Johnson’s speakership and Trump’s “big, beautiful bill” over budget-deficit concerns. He ultimately supported both.
Why he supports the Epstein measure: “We want transparency and accountability and justice. We want to expose the criminals and we want to protect the victims, because let’s just be honest. Some people may have flown on the plane, but they’re not charged and did nothing wrong. But we want accountability.”
Jeff Van Drew, New Jersey, aged 72
Fourth term in office
Van Drew was first elected to the House in 2018 as a Democrat, then switched parties and proclaimed his “undying support” for Trump. Trump endorsed Van Drew for re-election, praising his work halting offshore wind projects.
Why he supports the Epstein measure: “The American people deserve full transparency.”
Wall Street Journal
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