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House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-la. , on Tuesday raised his criticism of Rep. Thomas Massie as a debate on how to deal with the transparency of the Jeffrey Epstein case Anger on Capitol Hill.
“I almost describe what Thomas Massie said as meaningless,” Johnson told reporters.
The jab was minutes later, Massie proposed a measure to bypass Johnson and force a vote on legislation, forcing the publication of extensive Department of Justice (DOJ) records related to Epstein. Meanwhile, Johnson is supporting another resolution that authorizes the House Oversight Committee to investigate the case.
Rep. Ro Khanna of Massie and D-Calif, is pioneering the release petition, a rare procedural move that allows lawmakers to bypass leadership if most home members sign.
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Speaker Mike Johnson and Rep. Thomas Massie exchanged harsh words in the media as the fight against how to promote transparency in Jeffrey Epstein’s case continues. (Getty Image)
Massie told Fox News Digital that he hopes enough signatures can reach that threshold this weekend to this weekend.
“I think it’s really possible,” he said.
As of Tuesday afternoon, the petition had two signatures: Massie and Rep. Jim McGovern, D-Mass.
When asked about Johnson’s comment, Massie used House leaders’ measures as a “placebo solution.”
“He copied three pages from my resolution. I mean, we wrote this from scratch. So if he thought it was pointless, why would he copy it and pull his teeth out of it?” Massi said. “He’s afraid of the president Donald Trump. Mike Johnson’s speakers are just hanging on that topic. ”
House Oversight and Accountability Committee Chairman James Comer is leading a bipartisan investigation to deal with the Epstein case. (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)
The Justice Department has begun handing over thousands of documents to the Oversight Committee Under a bipartisan subpoenaalthough at least some repairs are expected.
Johnson believes his approach balances transparency with privacy concerns among Epstein victims.
“I won’t put too much into what Thomas Massi said,” he told reporters on Tuesday.
Epstein Estate was named “Customer List” by New House Subpoena, call log
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“The maximum disclosure and maximum transparency of House Republicans to the Epstein archives is very stable, but we have to do it in a way that protects innocent victims of these horrible crimes,” Johnson said. “We have achieved it. Now, we have a resolution that can achieve the purpose of this expectation. For me, it is really shameful to be what people want to do about it for political purposes.”
Masi and Kana Plan a press conference Several Epstein victims promoted their resolution on Wednesday. The victims also met with Johnson and members of the Oversight Committee on Tuesday.
The showdown highlighted the intensification of Republicans’ handling of how the Justice Department handled the Epstein case, which reignited after an internal memorandum effectively announced the matter was closed earlier this year.
