Try as they might, Republican members of Congress are finding that Donald Trump's relationship with convicted pedophile Jeffrey Epstein is hanging like a dark cloud over them as they return to their districts during their summer break.
Despite an attempt by Sen. Bernie Moreno (R-OH) to downplay the chaos that is engulfing both the White House and Department of Justice as "a 100% inside baseball D.C. story," that is not turning out to be the case for some lawmakers who are being confronted by constituents..
According to a report in NOTUS, "Republican lawmakers were trying to run away from the Jeffrey Epstein saga by leaving Washington," but have now found out that "they very well may have run toward it."
On the rare occasions that they're speaking with constituents, Republicans are facing an "onslaught of questions" — as evidenced by the problems Sen. Markwayne Mullin (R-OK), a frequent defender of Trump on cable shows every weekend, is facing.
In a recent tele-town hall, Mullin was asked about the Epstein chaos and lamented, "I wish you didn’t ask me that question.”
Mullin begged off by explaining, "But we can’t force the courts to do it. The president is part of the executive branch. We’re part of the legislative branch. Courts? That’s judicial. That’s co-equal branches of government. We can’t force them. We can simply ask them.”
Rep. Mike Flood (R-NE) was asked point-blank, "Why are you covering up Epstein files?” to which he offered, "Let’s be very clear. At the next pro forma session of the Congress, you’ll find my name as a sponsor on a resolution from the House Rules Committee to release the Epstein files to protect the victims and not revictimize them again.”
At a town hall, Rep. Ryan Mackenzie (R-PA) sidestepped the controversy, explaining, "I know they have not released as much as I would like to see to date, but hopefully they’re going to be doing that. And if not, then Congress should potentially step in and compel them to do that.”
As for Ohio Sen. Moreno's statement that no one outside DC really cares about the topic, Rep. Tim Burchett (R-TN) was asked how much it comes up in his district, to which he bluntly replied, "A lot.”
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