On August 31, 2025, the political world caught its breath as Congressman Ro Khanna (D-CA) announced a press conference that he described as "explosive," set for September 3 on the steps of the Capitol. The event, co-hosted with Congressman Thomas Massie (R-KY), aims to thrust the long-simmering Jeffrey Epstein files controversy back into the national spotlight. But what exactly is at stake, and why does this bipartisan push matter now?
According to NBC’s Meet the Press, Khanna and Massie’s press conference will feature ten alleged victims of Jeffrey Epstein, many of whom have never spoken publicly before. These survivors are expected to tell their stories and make a direct plea to the American public and lawmakers alike: release all files related to Epstein for full closure on the matter. "They will be telling their story, and they will be saying clearly to the American public that they want the release of the Epstein files for full closure on this matter," Khanna emphasized during his televised appearance.
The announcement comes at a critical juncture. Congress is just returning from a lengthy summer recess—over forty days, according to Mediaite—after Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) abruptly dismissed lawmakers in July, sidestepping a resolution that would have forced the release of the Department of Justice’s Epstein files. That move, widely seen as a tactical delay, has only fueled bipartisan frustration and public suspicion. As Khanna put it, "I’m very confident it will [pass]. I spoke to Congressman Massie. You had us both on a few weeks ago. We will have the petition live on September 2. We have all 212 Democrats committed to signing it. He has 12 Republicans, only six of them have to sign it."
Behind the scenes, the mechanics are as crucial as the headlines. The Khanna–Massie partnership is anchored by a discharge petition—a procedural maneuver that, if signed by 218 members of the House, compels the Speaker to bring a bill to the floor. Their bill would require Attorney General Bondi to release the Epstein files within 30 days. It’s a rare moment of cooperation across the aisle, with all 212 House Democrats and 12 Republicans already expressing support. Only six Republican signatures are needed for the petition to succeed, a threshold that now seems within reach.
The press conference itself is expected to be a watershed moment. For many of the victims, it will be the first time they speak publicly about their experiences. The symbolism of standing on the Capitol steps—at the heart of American democracy—underscores the gravity of their demand for transparency and justice. According to The New York Sun, Khanna believes this show of unity and testimony will put "pressure on his colleagues to back his discharge petition." For survivors, advocates, and millions of concerned citizens, the hope is that this public reckoning will finally force Congress to act.
Yet, the push for disclosure has not been without resistance. Speaker Johnson’s decision to send the House into recess in July was widely interpreted as an attempt to avoid the political fallout of a floor vote on Epstein-related resolutions. Johnson himself has expressed bewilderment at Massie’s motivations, stating, "I don’t understand Thomas Massie’s motivation. I really don’t. I don’t know how his mind works." Despite this, Massie’s libertarian streak and willingness to challenge his own party’s leadership have made him a pivotal figure in the ongoing battle for transparency.
The issue has also exposed deep divisions within the Republican Party. Some of the MAGA movement’s most vocal House members—Marjorie Taylor Greene (SC), Eric Burlison (MO), and Tim Burchett (TN)—have pledged to sign the discharge petition, defying both party leadership and former President Trump. After a conservative Turning Point USA gathering in July, which saw high-profile figures like Tucker Carlson and Megyn Kelly call for more transparency, Trump dismissed the Epstein controversy as a "hoax" perpetuated by Democrats. He went so far as to say he no longer wanted support from any Republican pushing for disclosure, according to The New York Sun.
The political maneuvering hasn’t stopped there. The House Oversight Committee, chaired by Congressman James Comer, has launched its own investigation into the Epstein case. This effort includes subpoenas for testimony from Ghislaine Maxwell and requests for documents from the Epstein estate. Comer’s committee is also interviewing a roster of high-profile figures, including President Clinton and former Labor Secretary Alex Acosta, both of whom had dealings with Epstein either personally or in their government roles.
While the legislative gears grind slowly, public opinion is shifting rapidly. According to a late July poll by YouGov reported by The New York Sun, 61 percent of voters disapprove of President Trump’s handling of the Epstein files controversy. That includes 28 percent of Republicans and a striking 70 percent of independent voters. The numbers suggest a growing impatience with official stonewalling and a bipartisan appetite for answers.
For supporters of the discharge petition, the stakes are clear. If Khanna and Massie can secure the necessary signatures, Speaker Johnson will be compelled to bring their bill to a floor vote. Should it pass, Attorney General Bondi would be required to release the Epstein files within a month. For many, this represents the best—and perhaps last—chance to achieve a full public accounting of Epstein’s activities and connections. The hope is that transparency will bring closure to victims and accountability to those who may have enabled or covered up Epstein’s crimes.
But even as momentum builds, the path forward remains fraught with uncertainty. Political calculations, personal allegiances, and the specter of powerful names potentially implicated in the files all contribute to the sense of high-stakes drama. As the September 3 press conference draws near, all eyes will be on the Capitol steps, where survivors will stand side by side with lawmakers from both parties, demanding that the truth finally come to light.
In a political climate often defined by gridlock and partisanship, the Khanna–Massie alliance and the voices of Epstein’s victims are a reminder that some issues transcend party lines. The coming days will reveal whether Congress is willing to meet this moment—or whether the call for transparency will once again be met with delay and denial.
