On Sept. 7, 2025, on ABC News’ This Week, Reps. Thomas Massie (R‑Ky.) and Ro Khanna (D‑Calif.) said the House can compel the Justice Department to release all files related to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, arguing survivors deserve transparency and that a bipartisan discharge petition has sufficient support to force a vote by the end of September.
Key Takeaways
- Reps. Thomas Massie and Ro Khanna led a bipartisan effort to force release of Epstein-related records.
- Khanna said 216 House members already support the discharge petition; two vacancies could bring the total to the 218 needed.
- Survivors testified on Capitol Hill demanding the records be made public.
- President Trump and Speaker Mike Johnson say the Justice Department has provided requested materials and call the push politicized.
- Massie warned that some names in the files could embarrass wealthy, politically connected figures; that claim is listed as unconfirmed below.
- Victims’ attorney Bradley Edwards and career officials have reportedly reviewed parts of the files.
Verified Facts
Congressional leaders from both parties told ABC News on Sept. 7 that they are pursuing a discharge petition to force a floor vote ordering the Justice Department to release its full records on Jeffrey Epstein. Representative Ro Khanna said 216 members have signed; he expects two additional Democratic signatories to be added, reaching the 218 threshold needed to bring the petition to the floor by the end of September.
Survivors of Epstein’s abuse appeared on Capitol Hill in recent days to press lawmakers for public access to files they say are necessary for accountability and closure. Khanna emphasized the petition as a moral response to survivors’ appeals.
President Donald Trump on Friday said the Justice Department has supplied Congress with “everything requested of them,” and both the president and House Speaker Mike Johnson have characterized the demand for more disclosure as politicized. Khanna and Massie reject that framing and say bipartisan support demonstrates a cross‑aisle commitment to transparency.
Attorney Bradley Edwards, who represents multiple survivors, has reportedly reviewed portions of the Justice Department records; several career officials have also seen material, according to Khanna. Those reviews shape lawmakers’ expectations about what could be released and whether redactions might be contested.
Context & Impact
Discharge petitions are a procedural, rarely used tool that can bypass House leadership to force a vote when 218 members back bringing a bill or resolution to the floor. If the petition reaches 218 validated signatures, it can trigger a vote on compelling the Justice Department to disclose records related to Epstein’s convictions, plea deals and related investigations.
Public release of files could yield political fallout for individuals whose names appear in documents, even if inclusion alone does not prove criminal conduct. The debate raises questions about privacy, law enforcement confidentiality, national security redactions and victims’ rights.
- Potential outcomes: full public release, partially redacted release, or legal challenges delaying disclosure.
- Political dynamic: bipartisan signatures indicate cross‑party pressure on the Justice Department and the White House.
- Legal risks: redaction disputes could prompt court review or additional litigation by survivors or third parties.
Official Statements
“The Justice Department has given Congress everything requested of them.”
President Donald Trump / White House statement (paraphrased)
“We can’t avoid justice just to avoid embarrassment for some very powerful men.”
Rep. Thomas Massie (R‑Ky.) — This Week, Sept. 7, 2025
Explainer
Unconfirmed
- Representative Massie suggested that some names in the files could link to wealthy donors or individuals with intelligence ties to the CIA; the report of intelligence connections and donor influence was not substantiated in the interview and remains unverified.
- It is not yet certain whether any released records would be complete, heavily redacted, or legally challenged; Khanna expressed concern about potential edits but noted some attorneys and officials have already seen portions of the files.
Bottom Line
Lawmakers from both parties are pressing for greater transparency on Jeffrey Epstein’s Justice Department records, driven by survivor testimony and bipartisan momentum in the House. If the discharge petition reaches 218 validated signatures as Khanna predicts, a forced vote could occur this month, but legal and national‑security considerations may shape what is ultimately disclosed.