Epstein files back in spotlight after midterms
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Congress returns next week facing a renewed push for transparency over the Jeffrey Epstein files, as a top House Democrat promises new investigations following the party's midterm victories.
Why it matters: The Epstein files controversy has been a recurring political issue throughout President Trump's second term and featured prominently in the midterm campaigns. Democrats' incoming House majority could bring fresh scrutiny of his administration's handling of the files.
Driving the news: Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) is harnessing that momentum as lawmakers return, ahead of his January departure from Congress.
- Massie said in a Thursday post that when the House returns, the effort to force a vote on a second Epstein Files Transparency Act would secure the necessary 218 signatures.
- Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.), who has led the bipartisan effort with Massie, announced in September that they had received sufficient signature commitments for the measure — but House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) sent the House home early.
What's inside: Massie and Khanna introduced the Epstein Files Transparency Act II in July, building on their initial legislation that Trump signed in November of last year after previously working to undercut the effort.
- The bill would allow state attorneys general, local prosecutors and victims to sue the U.S. attorney general over alleged unlawful withholdings, redactions or failure to produce records.
- It would also require the attorney general to provide certain unredacted documents to victims upon request.
Zoom out: The momentum is unlikely to slow when Democrats take control of Congress in January.
- With corruption emerging as a top election concern, Democrats ran attack ads accusing the GOP of protecting powerful elites.
- Candidates from both parties and outside groups aired at least $70 million in TV ads mentioning Epstein, pedophilia and allegations of child sexual abuse between Sept. 1 and Oct. 21, according to AdImpact data reviewed by Axios' Alex Isenstadt.
What we're watching: Rep. Robert Garcia (D-Calif.), the committee's ranking Democrat, who formally announced his bid for House Oversight Committee chair, outlined four investigative priorities for the committee under Democratic leadership Wednesday. The fourth will center around Epstein.
- In his press conference, he argued there has yet to be "real accountability for the co-conspirators and the men who brutally raped, trafficked and abused young women."
- He lamented the lack of public hearings in the House under Republican leadership, adding he had spoken with multiple survivors who were interested in testifying before Congress.
- The fact "that so many folks have gotten away with not testifying in front of Congress, I think is shameful," he said. "And so I think there's a lot of folks that need to understand that ... we are going to ask them to testify.
Go deeper: Democrats' new balancing act: Subpoenas and affordability
