{"id":2467308,"date":"2025-07-27T12:26:13","date_gmt":"2025-07-27T16:26:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/massie-says-doj-hiding-behind-strawman-epstein-victims-argument-in-refusal-to-release-files-washington-examiner\/"},"modified":"2025-07-27T12:26:59","modified_gmt":"2025-07-27T16:26:59","slug":"massie-says-doj-hiding-behind-strawman-epstein-victims-argument-in-refusal-to-release-files-washington-examiner","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/massie-says-doj-hiding-behind-strawman-epstein-victims-argument-in-refusal-to-release-files-washington-examiner\/","title":{"rendered":"Massie says DOJ hiding behind \u2018strawman\u2019 Epstein victims argument in refusal to release files &#8211; Washington Examiner"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">34<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fmassie-says-doj-hiding-behind-strawman-epstein-victims-argument-in-refusal-to-release-files-washington-examiner%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2467308&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>Representative Thomas Massie criticized the Department of Justice (DOJ) for using concerns about protecting jeffrey Epstein victims&#8217; identities as an excuse to withhold the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/new-york-state-legislators-to-strip-democrat-governor-andrew-cuomo-of-emergency-powers-amid-scandals\/\" title=\"New York State Legislators To Strip Democrat Governor Andrew Cuomo Of Emergency Powers Amid Scandals\">full release<\/a> of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/if-erics-voter-roll-maintenance-is-so-popular-why-do-democrats-feel-a-need-to-force-states-to-join\/\" title=\"Why do Democrats want to force states to join ERIC&#039;s voter roll &#039;maintenance&#039; if it&#039;s already popular\">related files<\/a>.Massie emphasized that legislation he co-authored with representative Ro Khanna ensures victims&#8217; names and any <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/anti-sex-trafficking-advocates-slam-twitter-on-heels-of-bombshell-lawsuit-from-teen-victim\/\" title=\"Anti-Sex Trafficking Advocates Slam Twitter On Heels Of Bombshell Lawsuit From Teen Victim\">child pornography<\/a> would be redacted, aiming to balance openness with victim protection. Despite their efforts, house Speaker Mike Johnson has blocked bringing the bill to the floor, prompting Massie and Khanna to pursue a discharge petition to force a vote after the August recess.Khanna highlighted that victims want the <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\" >files released<\/a> for closure and healing, noting that their attorney, Bradley Edwards, has demanded full disclosure (with necessary redactions). Both lawmakers are pushing for justice and transparency surrounding Epstein&#8217;s case, challenging DOJ&#8217;s stance and lack of victim consultation.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<p><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><\/p>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-header-search-button-mob dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search\" aria-labelledby=\"td-header-search-button\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search-inner\">\n<form method=\"get\" class=\"tdb-search-form\" action=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\"><\/form>\n<div class=\"tdb-aj-search\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/#\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"Search\" class=\"tdb-head-search-btn dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<h1 class=\"tdb-title-text\">Massie says DOJ hiding behind &lsquo;strawman&rsquo; Epstein victims argument in refusal to release files<\/h1>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-title-line\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div id=\"Brid_2175597\" class=\"tpd-featured-video bridtv\"><\/div>\n<p>Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY) said the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/trump-administration\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">Trump administration<\/a> was using concern over releasing victim information as a cover for not releasing the entirety of the files related to sex offender <a href=\"http:\/\/washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/jeffrey-epstein\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">Jeffrey Epstein<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;Well, look, that&rsquo;s a &lsquo;strawman.&rsquo; Ro and I carefully crafted this legislation so that the victims&rsquo; names will be redacted and that no child pornography will be released. So they&rsquo;re hiding behind that. But we&rsquo;re trying to get justice for the victims and transparency for America,&rdquo; Massie said on NBC News&rsquo;s <em>Meet the Press<\/em>.<\/p>\n<div class=\"recommended-stories\">\n<h2>Recommended Stories<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/house\/3483314\/rand-paul-comer-jill-biden-fauci-autopen-investigation\/\">Paul suggests Comer could scrutinize Jill Biden and Fauci in autopen investigation<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/house\/3482634\/congress-heat-epstein-files-house-recess-town-halls\/\">House members face Epstein heat as they return home for August recess<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/house\/3482657\/thomas-massie-questions-gop-leaders-recess-appointments\/\">Rabble-rouser Thomas Massie questions why GOP leaders won&#8217;t allow recess appointments<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p>&ldquo;We&rsquo;ve redacted things before. We don&rsquo;t want to hurt the victims. We&rsquo;re doing this for the victims. I think it&rsquo;s just something that they&rsquo;re hiding behind,&rdquo; Massie added.<\/p>\n<p>He and Rep. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/Ro-Khanna\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">Ro Khanna<\/a> (D-CA) have led the push in the House to release the Epstein files. The pair introduced a bill instructing the Department of Justice to release the documents on the late financier.<\/p>\n<p>House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) has refused to bring the bill to the floor, so Massie and Khanna have resorted to a discharge petition to force a vote, which will now come after the August congressional recess.<\/p>\n<p>In the same interview, Khanna claimed the victims do want the files released.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/house\/3478445\/epstein-files-paralyze-house-johnson-cancel-votes-recess\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\"><strong>EPSTEIN FILES PARALYZE THE HOUSE, FORCING JOHNSON TO CANCEL VOTES AND START RECESS<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;Bradley Edwards was the lawyer for the victims and has demanded a full release of the files, obviously with the victims&rsquo; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/cia-docs-reveal-multiple-employees-and-contractors-were-never-prosecuted-for-child-sex-crimes\/\" title=\"CIA Docs Reveal Multiple Employees and Contractors Were Never Prosecuted for Child Sex Crimes\">names redacted<\/a>. He said the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/Department-of-Justice\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">Justice Department<\/a> never cared about settling the victims. They gave Jeffrey Epstein the plea deal in the first place. They never cared about victims, right? And no one has asked the victims what they want,&rdquo; Khanna said.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;They do want these files released for closure and for healing,&rdquo; he continued.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p> <script data-cfasync=\"false\" src=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/cdn-cgi\/scripts\/5c5dd728\/cloudflare-static\/email-decode.min.js\"><\/script><script>!function(){var g=window;g.googletag=g.googletag||{},g.googletag.cmd=g.googletag.cmd||[],g.googletag.cmd.push(function(){g.googletag.pubads().setTargeting(\"has-featured-video\",\"true\")})}();<\/script><script>var _bp=_bp||[];_bp.push({\"div\":\"Brid_2175597\",\"obj\":{\"id\":\"27789\",\"width\":\"1280\",\"height\":\"720\",\"stickyDirection\":\"below\",\"video\":\"2175597\"}});<\/script><script defer src=\"https:\/\/services.brid.tv\/player\/build\/brid.min.js\"><\/script><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Massie: DOJ uses victim privacy as a &#8216;strawman&#8217; to block Epstein files release<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2910,"featured_media":2467309,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/massie-epstein.webp","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[33651],"tags":[59326,7076,60025,4850],"class_list":["post-2467308","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-western-journal","tag-document-release","tag-doj","tag-epstein-victims","tag-massie"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/massie-epstein.webp","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2467308","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2910"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2467308"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2467308\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2467313,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2467308\/revisions\/2467313"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2467309"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2467308"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2467308"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2467308"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}