Republican behind Epstein law reveals 'backup plan' to get around Trump DOJ's redactions

Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.), the lead Republican behind the push for Epstein files disclosure, told the New York Post on Monday that he is considering a "viable backup plan" to get around the Department of Justice's (DOJ) significant redactions and publicly expose the notorious sex trafficker's accomplices.

Massie co-sponsored the Epstein Files Transparency Act alongside Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.) The bill, which passed in the House 427-1 and by unanimous consent in the Senate, required the DOJ to release all of its files pertaining to the investigation into Jeffrey Epstein by Friday. As the day arrived, the DOJ said that not all files would be ready in time, which violated the law's 30-day statutory deadline. Many of the files were also found to be heavily redacted, revealing seemingly no information about unknown conspirators, reinforcing suspicions that powerful individuals were being protected. A photo featuring President Donald Trump was also pulled from the initial release, but was later added back after public outcry.

Speaking with the Post about the situation, Massie said that "right now the DOJ is violating the law to protect those individuals" from being exposed. He said that all options available to Congress to compel the proper disclosure of the files will be pursued, including holding Attorney General Pam Bondi in contempt or outright pursuing her impeachment, which he suggested is an idea with bipartisan support.

“We will first pursue all options to force the DOJ to release those names, and several options remain," Massie said.

The Kentucky congressman also suggested that he may follow a previously suggested course of action by Epstein victims if the Trump administration refused to release the files.

“Reading the names into the Congressional Record is a viable backup plan," Massie explained.

A group of Epstein survivors, according to Massie, provided the FBI with a list of 20 powerful men who allegedly assaulted women and girls provided by Epstein. Members of Congress have certain legal immunities for information shared during their official duties, meaning they could name these accused figures without fear of legal retribution. One name from the list, Barclays Bank CEO Jes Staley, was previously named in this manner, prompting his resignation.

"To be clear, I do not have the names myself," Massie said. "They reside with the survivors and their lawyers."

Massie went into more detail about the names during a September hearing.

“That list also includes at least 19 other individuals,” Massie said, including “one Hollywood producer worth a few hundred million dollars, one royal prince, one high-profile individual in the music industry, one prominent banker, one high-profile government official, one high-profile former politician, one owner of a car company in Italy, one rock star, one magician, and at least six billionaires, including a billionaire from Canada.”