Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., defended his bipartisan Jeffrey Epstein files bill in an interview with Newsmax, pushing back against criticism and stressing that his bill ensures transparency while protecting victims.
Speaking Wednesday on "Rob Schmitt Tonight," Massie said survivors of Epstein’s sex trafficking have rallied behind his legislation, the Epstein Files Transparency Act, precisely because it includes safeguards for them.
“The reason those survivors showed up at my press conference to support my bill is it does have protections for them,” Massie told host Rob Schmitt. “That’s one of the mistruths that’s been stated about my bill.”
Massie emphasized that his measure is not redundant with what House Oversight Chair James Comer, R-Ky., is doing through committee investigations. While praising Comer’s leadership, Massie pointed out that the Department of Justice has heavily redacted documents already turned over to Congress.
“I showed him that all the flight logs that the DOJ has given him, that’s in that 34,000-document dump — all of them are redacted,” Massie said. “The DOJ is curating; they’re not just redacting, they’re choosing what to send the Oversight Committee.”
Massie said the Oversight probe is largely focused on whether the DOJ properly handled its investigation, but he doubts it will produce criminal referrals.
“I support what the Oversight Committee is doing. The more eyeballs we have on this, the better,” he said. “But what’s not true is that Comer’s effort and my effort are redundant.”
The Epstein Files Transparency Act, introduced by Massie alongside Rep. Ro Khanna, D-Calif., would require the DOJ to release nearly all Epstein-related records within 30 days. Redactions would be limited strictly to identifiable victim information or material that could compromise active legal proceedings. The bill explicitly prohibits withholding information to spare embarrassment to wealthy or politically connected individuals.
That stands in contrast to the current approach, where DOJ officials have exercised wide discretion over what to redact and what to share with lawmakers. Survivors and transparency advocates argue this has shielded powerful Epstein associates from public scrutiny.
“My bill has exceptions for victims’ identifiable information, but it doesn’t allow [DOJ] to redact things that they think might be embarrassing to billionaire donors,” Massie said. “But that’s exactly what the DOJ is doing right now.”
Massie and Khanna are pushing a discharge petition — supported by several House Republicans — to bring the bill directly to the House floor, bypassing leadership opposition. Survivors of Epstein’s abuse joined them on Capitol Hill this week, urging lawmakers to pass the measure and provide long-promised answers to the American people.
In his interview with Massie, Schmitt specifically asked the congressman to name people who had an association with Epstein and are “protected.”
Massie responded that one person “in Epstein’s black book” is billionaire John Paulson. While not claiming that Paulson had done anything illegal or improper, Massie complained that the pro-Trump billionaire had been spending about $2 million in campaign ads critical of the congressman.
On Thursday, a spokesman for Paulson offered the following response to Massie’s comments:
“If John Paulson is in Epstein’s black book, it’s news to him. He never shared a meal or even a drink with Epstein. Never went to a party he hosted anywhere, never visited Epstein at any of his residences, was never on his plane and never on the island. In other words, this is a weak attempt to imply a relationship with Epstein that never existed at any level or of any kind. Mr. Paulson believes Congressman Massie has failed his constituents and should be replaced. Massie’s response is a fabricated attack with no substance at all. He should be ashamed of himself and withdraw the statement.”
This story has been updated.
GET TODAY NEWSMAX+:
NEWSMAX is the fastest-growing cable news channel in America with more than 30 million people watching!
Reuters Institute reports NEWSMAX is one of the top news brands in the U.S.
You need to watch NEWSMAX today.
Get it with great shows from Rob Schmitt, Greta Van Susteren, Greg Kelly, Carl Higbie, Rob Finnerty – and many more!
Find the NEWSMAX channel on your cable system – Go Here Now
BEST OFFER:
Sign up for NEWSMAX+ and get NEWSMAX, our streaming channel NEWSMAX2 and our military channel World at War.
Find hundreds of shows, movies and specials. Even get Jon Voight’s special series and President Trump’s comedy programs and much more!
Watch NEWSMAX+ on your smartphone or home TV app. Watch NEWSMAX anytime, anywhere!
Start your FREE trial now: NewsmaxPlus.com
© 2025 Newsmax. All rights reserved.