Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) stated he assumes “at least some of Trump’s friends” could possibly be among the many many individuals named in Jeffrey Epstein’s recordsdata, however stated authorities could also be hesitant to launch data that might identify individuals who really did nothing mistaken.
Massie, a cosponsor of a invoice that might require the Justice Division to launch the Epstein recordsdata, is hopeful the measure will come up for a vote when the Home returns in September.
“The thing about the files that everybody needs to understand is there are probably lots of names in there who haven’t done anything criminal, and so there’s a reluctance to release these files because of the embarrassment just having your name on the news in these files. And I always presumed that there were at least some of Trump’s friends named in this, and that might be why,” Massie instructed reporters Wednesday.
The Trump administration in latest days has launched plenty of different recordsdata of curiosity to the MAGA base, together with some on Russian efforts to affect the 2016 election and others associated to Hillary Clinton’s e mail server and the assassination of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.
But when designed to be a distraction, it doesn’t seem like working, as a lot of Trump’s supporters are nonetheless demanding to see data on the Epstein case.
Massie stated he anticipated anticipation on the Epstein concern to construct over the approaching recess, noting members could face questions on their place on the recordsdata as they head to city halls.
“I think this issue will not dissipate. I think it will grow over the August recess,” he stated.
He additionally faulted Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) for recessing the Home a day sooner than anticipated moderately than taking a vote on the controversial measure.
“I think he’s just trying to do Trump a favor, that makes sense? He doesn’t want a paper thin sliver of daylight between him and the president, and so that’s why he’s avoided taking even the symbolic vote on the nonbinding resolution,” Massie stated.
