In a dramatic unfolding of political and legal maneuvers surrounding the legacy of Jeffrey Epstein, key figures in Congress and the Trump administration find themselves at odds over the fate of Ghislaine Maxwell, Epstein's convicted associate. Maxwell, currently serving a 20-year prison sentence for sex trafficking, has become a focal point in the ongoing debate about transparency, justice, and political accountability.
Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.), known as a vocal critic of former President Donald Trump within Republican ranks, has emerged as a leading advocate for releasing all federal files related to Epstein. On July 27, 2025, during an appearance on NBC's "Meet the Press," Massie expressed conditional support for a potential pardon of Maxwell, emphasizing the importance of her truthful testimony. "Whatever they need to do to compel that testimony, as long as it’s truthful, I would be in favor of," Massie said, underscoring his willingness to support a pardon if it leads to uncovering the full scope of Epstein's crimes.
Massie's stance is part of a bipartisan effort alongside Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.), who co-sponsored legislation demanding the release of all unclassified Epstein-related records. However, Khanna diverges sharply from Massie on the pardon issue. While agreeing that Maxwell should testify, Khanna voiced strong opposition to any clemency, citing Maxwell's history of perjury indictments. "She’s been indicted twice on perjury. This is why we need the files," Khanna told NBC. "This is why we need independent evidence." Khanna also expressed concern over Maxwell's private meetings with Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche, who spent two days with Maxwell last week, raising questions about the nature and purpose of their discussions.
The debate over Maxwell's potential pardon has also drawn in House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.), who on the same NBC program expressed "great pause" about the idea. Johnson described Maxwell's 20-year sentence as a "pittance" given the gravity of her crimes and suggested she should have received a life sentence. However, he deferred the decision entirely to President Trump, stating, "Obviously that’s a decision of the president. I won’t get it in front of him. That’s not my lane." Johnson's comments reflect the broader tensions within the Republican Party as it navigates the fallout from the Epstein scandal, which has implicated numerous powerful figures and strained political alliances.
President Trump himself has weighed in cautiously. On July 25, 2025, Trump told reporters he had not considered pardoning Maxwell but acknowledged he had the authority to do so. Meanwhile, Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche, who previously served as Trump's defense attorney, met with Maxwell for hours over two days last week. Reports suggest Blanche is working on pardon documents, though no official pardon has been issued. This development has fueled speculation about a possible deal to secure Maxwell's cooperation in exchange for clemency.
Amid these high-profile discussions, the push to unseal Epstein-related files has gained momentum. Massie and Khanna's bipartisan bill aims to compel the Trump administration to release all unclassified records on Epstein, with protections to redact victims' names and prevent the dissemination of child pornography. Massie confidently stated that there is sufficient public pressure to secure the 218 votes needed to force a floor vote in the House. Nearly a dozen Republican colleagues and prominent Democrats, including Reps. Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.), have signed on to support the measure.
The legislative effort, however, has faced resistance. Last week, Johnson sent House lawmakers home one day early for their summer recess after Democrats on the Rules Committee planned to force votes related to the Epstein files. Johnson accused Democrats of "hijacking" the Rules Committee for political purposes and defended the early adjournment as a move to restore order. He also echoed Justice Department concerns that releasing the files could harm victims by exposing uncorroborated information and unmasking their identities.
Massie dismissed these concerns as a "straw man," emphasizing that the bill includes stringent safeguards to protect victims' privacy. "Ro and I carefully crafted this legislation so that the victims’ names will be redacted and that no child pornography will be released," Massie said. Khanna also pushed back on fears about reputational damage, arguing the public can distinguish between those who received Epstein grants legitimately and those who abused underage girls.
The Epstein scandal continues to cast a long shadow over American politics. Epstein died by suicide in jail in 2019 while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges. Maxwell, his longtime confidante, was convicted in 2021 and is currently appealing her sentence. Her attorney argues that a non-prosecution agreement from a 2008 Epstein plea deal should also apply to her, a claim that adds complexity to the legal proceedings.
Meanwhile, the Department of Justice has been under scrutiny for its handling of Epstein's case. Earlier this month, it stated that Epstein did not maintain a "client list" and did not engage in blackmail, contradicting some public perceptions. Attorney General Pam Bondi and Deputy Blanche have filed motions seeking to unseal grand jury records in Manhattan federal court, but a separate request to release transcripts from a Florida federal grand jury was denied last week.
Massie, who has recently faced political attacks from Trump allies, including a super PAC spending over $1 million targeting his re-election, remains undeterred. Khanna praised Massie for standing up to political pressure, noting that he has suffered "political pain" for his stance but has only grown stronger. Both lawmakers see the release of Epstein files as critical to restoring public trust in government and holding the powerful accountable.
As Congress prepares to reconvene in September, the battle over the Epstein files and Maxwell's fate is far from over. Massie warned that failure to act could lead to voter apathy and damage the Republican Party's prospects in the 2026 midterm elections. "The American people deserve this, regardless of what the political ramifications are for the speaker," Massie said, challenging House leadership to allow the vote and confront the political consequences.
The Epstein saga, with its intertwining of wealth, power, and alleged abuses, continues to test the limits of political courage and transparency. As Maxwell's testimony and the release of federal files remain uncertain, the nation watches closely, eager for answers and justice.
