Massie Moves to Force House Vote on Epstein Files Release
Representative Thomas Massie of Kentucky, the lone House Republican who has been willing to regularly break with Mr. Trump on major policy matters, began a procedural maneuver on Tuesday night that could lead to a vote within weeks.
It comes as Republicans from Speaker Mike Johnson on down have called for the release of the files about Mr. Epstein, who died in federal custody while awaiting sex trafficking charges, despite Mr. Trump repeatedly and urgently pressing them to move on.
The House has little power over the Justice Department, outside of compelling officials to testify in congressional hearings, so even a decisive vote on the House floor demanding the release of the files would amount to no more than a messaging vote.
But it would test whether Republicans, who have largely ceded their power to Mr. Trump, are willing to make a hard break with a president who demands unflagging loyalty.
(Mr. Trump said on Wednesday that he no longer even wanted the support of those who bought into what he called the Epstein 'bullshit' — 'hook, line, and sinker.')
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