Kentucky Republican Thomas Massie has called on the public to advise him which unredacted versions of files associated with the disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein he should view.
More than 3 million pages of documents related to Epstein, a convicted sex offender who died in a New York jail in 2019 while awaiting further charges, have been released by the Justice Department, with more to come after President Donald Trump signed the Epstein Files Transparency Act, spearheaded by Massie, in November last year amid calls from the public for greater transparency about the case.
But amid their release lawmakers and the public have called for more transparency as redactions were permitted in certain instances. This led the DOJ to create an arrangement, first reported by NBC News, in which members of Congress can view the original, unredacted files.
Writing on X, Massie said: “Tomorrow I will go to DOJ to view the unredacted Epstein files. Which docs should I view?”
Why It Matters
The release of Epstein files has sparked intense scrutiny of high-profile figures, including Tesla CEO Elon Musk and Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates, both of whom are named in the documents. Appearing in the files is not an indication of wrongdoing.
What To Know
Massie asked X users to include the file name and said he would sort replies to his post by number of likes to gauge public interest in certain files.
Right-wing commentator Candace Owens said Massie should look at an email sent to Epstein in 2014 which said: “Thank you for a fun night… Your littles girl was a little naughty.”
“Agree with people below that this is definitely one that needs to be revealed,” she said. 72,000 liked her post.
Some 27,000 people liked a post urging Massie to examine a July 2010 email from a redacted individual which said: “the snow white was f..ed twice as soon as she put her costume)).”
Another X user said Massie should look at a 2014 email from a redacted individual which said: “I give you permission to kill him. He is apparently with [redacted]. He lied to you and he lied to me.” 19,000 people liked this post.
A further 14,000 people said Massie should find out the identity of someone who, in 2009, sent Epstein an email which read: “Where are you? are you ok, I loved the torture video.”
And 12,000 people liked a post referencing an email sent by a redacted individual which said “age 10” and had an attachment which appeared to be an image.
Members of Congress must give the DOJ 24 hours notice to view the files. Lawmakers may take notes of the files but are not allowed to bring in electronic recording devices.
Meanwhile, on Sunday, Massie called on Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick to resign after he was named in the Epstein files. Being named in the files is not an indication of wrongdoing.
What People Are Saying
White House spokeswoman Abigail Jackson said in December: “By releasing thousands of pages of documents, cooperating with the House Oversight Committee’s subpoena request, and President Trump recently calling for further investigations into Epstein’s Democrat friends, the Trump Administration has done more for the victims than Democrats ever have.” She also said the Trump administration is the “most transparent in history.”
Ro Khanna, a California Democrat who also spearheaded the Epstein Files Transparency Act wrote on X: “When Congress pushes back, Congress can prevail. @RepThomasMassie & I have always believed that Congress must not be a doormat. Not when it comes to the Epstein files. Not when it comes to stopping dumb wars.”
What Happens Next
Further files related to Epstein will be released in the days and weeks to come, the DOJ has said.
