Kentucky Republican U.S. Rep. Thomas Massie says he is close to securing the 218 signatures needed to force a House vote on releasing federal investigation files related to convicted sex offender and financier Jeffrey Epstein. Speaking at a community forum in rural northeastern Kentucky, Massie said Tuesday’s special House election in Arizona ensures his discharge petition will move forward. He noted that both candidates in the race pledged to sign his petition, and with Democratic candidate Adelita Grijalva’s victory, he now expects to meet the required threshold.
“Both of the candidates on the ballot promised to sign my discharge petition,” Massie said. “And one of them won, obviously, and so now we’re going to have 218 signatures, and we’re going to force a vote on releasing those files.”
Massie has led the push despite opposition from Republican leaders, including President Donald Trump and House Speaker Mike Johnson. GOP leadership has favored an investigation through the House Oversight Committee, chaired by Kentucky Rep. James Comer, rather than Massie’s direct approach. Massie told reporters that congressional leaders are “in full panic” following the Arizona election, alleging that Republican members who supported the petition were politically threatened. He warned that any procedural effort to stall his petition would also require 218 votes, making lawmakers complicit in what he called a “coverup.”
Epstein, who died in federal custody in 2019 in what was ruled a suicide, has remained a focus of conspiracy theories, including speculation that he was murdered to protect powerful individuals. Trump himself fueled such speculation during his 2020 campaign and promised in 2024 to declassify Epstein records if reelected president. Despite that pledge, he has clashed with Massie, even vowing to support a primary challenger against him in Kentucky’s 4th District.
Massie was joined in his district tour by Kentucky Republican Sen. Rand Paul, who voiced support for the effort. Paul suggested that attempts by Speaker Johnson to block the discharge petition could spark a broader backlash. “So, I think you actually might get even more of a groundswell if he tries to turn off the discharge petition,” Paul said.
The push to release Epstein’s files has gained momentum in recent weeks, with victims of Epstein publicly backing Massie’s petition. With bipartisan interest and growing public pressure, Massie believes the House will be forced to hold a vote on the matter in the coming days.
