Discharge Petition for Epstein Files Launched by Rep. Massey
Rep. Thomas Massey, a Republican from Kentucky, filed a discharge petition on Tuesday aimed at compelling the House of Representatives to vote on fully releasing documents related to Jeffrey Epstein.
In collaboration with Democratic Rep. Ro Khanna from California, Massey introduced the “Epstein Files Transparency Act.” To move the resolution to a vote, a simple majority of 218 members is required for the discharge petition to take effect.
“We all deserve to know what’s in the Epstein Files—who is involved and how extensive the corruption may be. Americans seek justice and transparency. This discharge petition is our way to force a vote in the House of Representatives for complete file release,” Massey stated.
The bipartisan measure requests that all documents tied to Epstein be made public within 20 days following the enactment of the Epstein Date Transparency Act. The resolution directs Attorney General Pam Bondi to release “a searchable and downloadable format of all unclassified records, communications, and research materials” held by the DOJ, FBI, and U.S. attorneys’ offices. The resolution specifies that “records must not be withheld, delayed, or edited due to embarrassment, reputational harm, or political sensitivity regarding government officials, public figures, or foreign officials.”
Since February, Bondi has expressed the need for transparency in various cases, including Epstein’s and the assassination of former President John F. Kennedy. On February 26, during an appearance on Fox News’ “Jesse Watters Primetime,” she mentioned the need for the public to access numerous flight logs and names related to the case.
The following day, conservative influencers showcased a binder outside the White House labeled “Epstein Files: Phase 1.” They later indicated that the information was under a brief embargo, although ultimately, the binder revealed little new intelligence on the case.
This occurred after former President Donald Trump had pledged full transparency regarding the files.
By March, Bondi made another appearance on Fox, stating that sources had informed her about additional evidence being held in the Southern District of New York. She requested FBI Director Kash Patel to provide a comprehensive report on the reasons for withholding these documents and evidence, promising a release of any remaining files.
In July, the DOJ quietly shared a note obtained by Axios, indicating that neither the FBI nor the DOJ found evidence of Epstein keeping a “client list,” nor did they detect any signs of foul play surrounding his death.
The FBI had released over 10 hours of “raw and enhanced” footage from outside Epstein’s cell at New York’s Metropolitan Correctional Center. However, questions arose about one minute of footage that went missing just before midnight.
On July 8, Bondi explained that the gap occurred because the cameras at the correctional facility were reset nightly. On the following Friday, Wired analyzed the footage metadata, suggesting it was “highly likely to be edited.”
In 2023, Congress unanimously passed a law regarding the origins of Covid-19, demanding that any information relating to the potential link between the Wuhan Virology Institute and the virus’s origins be classified by the Director of National Intelligence. Despite lawmakers calling for transparency, information undermining the theory that the virus originated naturally at a wet market in Wuhan remains obscured.
