Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY) accused Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche on Friday of lying about an effort of several lawmakers to review unredacted Jeffrey Epstein files, an alleged lie that Massie subsequently provided “receipts” to disprove.
Blanche appeared on ABC News Friday morning to discuss the Justice Department’s recent release of around 3.5 million Epstein files, and to push back against critics who accused the DOJ of unlawfully withholding millions more.
Blanche also fired off at Massie – the co-sponsor along with Rep. Ro Khanna (D-CA) of the Epstein Files Transparency Act, the legislation that forced the DOJ to release the Epstein files – for what he alleged was a performative request to view unredacted Epstein files.
“Apparently, Massie and others wrote a letter to come and review unredacted materials. I didn't get that letter yet!” Blanche told ABC News’ George Stephanopoulos.
“They leaked it to the press before they actually sent it to me, but yea, that's absolutely, totally fine, we have nothing to hide. We have nothing to hide, we never did, and our doors are open if they want to come and review any of the materials that we produced.”
Writing on social media, Massie insisted he and others had sent Blanche the request on Friday, and warned that “receipts” were “incoming.” Massie made good on that pledge by later releasing a screenshot of an alleged email sent to a DOJ government email address on Friday, 5:13 p.m. with the subject: “Reps. Khanna and Massie Letter Request to Review the Epstein Files.”
It’s unknown whether Blanche was made aware of the emailed request from Massie and others. Massie has remained dedicated to forcing the Trump administration to comply with the Epstein Files Transparency Act, which has already been defied with the DOJ’s botched releases of Epstein files that included redactions
beyond what the law permits.