Two GOP House members plan to join Dems in SOTU Epstein protests

Andrew Solender

Two men in suits engaged in conversation outdoors; one man with gray hair and beard is gesturing with his hand, the other man has dark hair and is listening attentively. — Reps. Thomas Massie and Ro Khanna speak to reporters outside the Justice Department in Washington, D.C., on Feb. 9. Photo: Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/AFP via Getty Images

At least two House Republicans who have been at the forefront of transparency efforts around the Jeffrey Epstein files are planning to display their support for the late convicted sex offender's victims during Trump's State of the Union, Axios has learned.

Why it matters: Trump isn't expected to mention Epstein during the address, but Democrats and a couple of Republicans are trying to ensure the issue looms large Tuesday night.

Scores of Democrats have announced plans to bring Epstein accusers — or their family members, in some cases — as guests to the speech.
They include House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.), Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), House Judiciary Committee ranking member Jamie Raskin (D-Md.) and House Oversight Committee ranking member Robert Garcia (D-Calif.).
The Democratic Women's Caucus is also handing out "release the files" pins for members and Epstein accusers to wear. "I think most of us are wearing it," Rep. Maxine Dexter (D-Ore.) told Axios.

Driving the news: Reps. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) and Ro Khanna (D-Calif.), who have formed an unlikely partnership regarding the Epstein issue, plan to sit together on the Democratic side of the aisle, a source familiar with their plans told Axios.

The source told Axios the rare show of bipartisan unity will be explicitly "to emphasize the need for justice for the Epstein class."

Members often sit along the center aisle of the House chamber during State of the Union addresses to be captured on camera as the president enters and leaves.

What we're hearing: Rep. Nancy Mace (R-S.C.), who is similarly outspoken on the Epstein issue, plans her own display of defiance, she told Axios.

"I am wearing Virginia Giuffre Roberts' butterfly pin her brother gave me yesterday," Mace said Tuesday.
Giuffre, who died by suicide last year, was one of Epstein's most prominent accusers.

Axios' Kate Santaliz contributed reporting for this story.

Editor's note: This story has been updated with additional reporting.

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Two GOP House members plan to join Dems in SOTU Epstein protests

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