The ongoing controversy surrounding Jeffrey Epstein’s unsealed court files is fueling bipartisan calls for full government transparency—and could damage Republican electoral prospects in the 2026 midterms, two U.S. lawmakers warned Sunday. Republican Rep. Thomas Massie (Ky.) and Democratic Rep. Ro Khanna (Calif.) are pushing a House resolution to force the release of all Epstein-related documents, arguing that secrecy erodes public trust in the justice system. “This is going to hurt Republicans in the midterms,” Massie said on NBC’s Meet the Press, warning that voter apathy will grow if elites aren’t held accountable.
The GOP, which holds narrow majorities in both chambers, hopes to expand its margins in 2026—but the scandal risks overshadowing its agenda. Khanna accused Attorney General Pam Bondi of exacerbating distrust by first suggesting, then denying, the existence of a list of Epstein’s associates. The reversal sparked fury among Trump’s base, with many demanding her resignation. “This is about trust in government,” Khanna said, framing the issue as a litmus test for accountability. Meanwhile, President Trump, abroad for trade talks, has grown increasingly frustrated by questions about his administration’s handling of Epstein’s case.
Massie and Khanna aim to force a House vote on their resolution when Congress reconvenes in September, but they face resistance from GOP leadership. House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) dismissed their measure as “reckless,” instead backing a non-binding alternative that calls for releasing only “credible” evidence while protecting victims. Johnson claimed the bipartisan resolution lacks safeguards, but Massie fired back, calling that argument a “straw man” and insisting victims’ identities would be redacted. “They’re hiding behind that,” he said.
Trump, no stranger to scandal, has struggled to shift focus from the Epstein fallout six months into his second term. Over the weekend, he baselessly accused 2024 Democratic nominee Kamala Harris and other party figures of corruption—a familiar tactic that so far hasn’t quelled the uproar. With midterm campaigns looming, the GOP’s handling of the Epstein files could prove pivotal. As Massie put it: “Voters will check out if they think justice isn’t equal.”