House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) let loose on dissent within his own caucus Tuesday as it relates to Jeffrey Epstein, particularly from Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY), who he accused of “trying to bite Republicans.”
Massie has drawn the scorn of Republican leadership for introducing what’s known as a discharge petition, a legislative measure that forces a vote on a particular matter — in this case, a measure that would compel the Justice Department to release more files on Epstein, the late convicted sex offender alleged to have run a blackmail operation targeting powerful figures.
“I try to follow the Scripture, you know, it says, bless those who persecute you,” Johnson told reporters Tuesday when asked about Massie, The Hill reported.
“So let me just say about Thomas Massie: could you just accept my southern, bless his heart, okay? I don’t know what else to say about it. We’re for maximum transparency, we’re engaging in that right now, and we don’t need political games.”
Trump and Republicans continue to face scrutiny over their reluctance to release more files related to Epstein. Trump has called for grand jury transcripts related to Epstein to be made public, but critics – including many of Trump’s most loyal supporters – are demanding full disclosure on Epstein’s crimes and any potential co-conspirators.
Massie has been relentless in pursuing transparency on Epstein through his discharge petition, telling reporters he has secured enough signatures to force a vote on the matter. House Republican leadership abruptly ended House proceedings Monday in an effort to block the discharge petition, though Massie said he expects it to come up again Wednesday, telling reporters “I don’t think it’s going to go away,” NBC News reported.
In frustration, Johnson questioned why Massie hadn’t pursued the disclosure of files related to Epstein under former President Joe Biden’s administration, and accused the Kentucky lawmaker of intentionally trying to damage his own party.
“Thomas Massie is the one trying to bite Republicans, okay, I’m not quite certain what his strategy is,” he said.
Trump has openly called for Massie to be replaced, largely of the lawmaker’s opposition to his budget reconciliation package known as the One Big Beautiful Bill, and helped by Massie’s continued perseverance on compelling the DOJ to release all files related to Epstein, a thorny issue for the president considering his well-documented years’ long friendship with the disgraced financier.
Trump fired off on Massie again on Monday, calling him “lazy,” slow-moving,” and the “worst Republican congressman.”
“Thomas Massie, the worst Republican Congressman, and an almost guaranteed NO VOTE each and every time, is an embarrassment to Kentucky,” Trump wrote in a social media post on Truth Social.
"A real loser! Never has anything positive to add. Looking for someone good to run against this guy, someone I can endorse and vigorously campaign for!”