4:26Rep. Tim Burchett addresses the press following the U.S. House of Representatives’ decision to pass President Donald Trump’s extensive spending and tax legislation on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., July 3, 2025. Ken Cedeno/Reuters
On Wednesday afternoon, House legislators hurried to catch flights, departing for their August break a day ahead of schedule, without holding a significant vote on the release of the Epstein files.
As they exited, some Republicans recognized they are preparing for challenging Epstein-related inquiries from their MAGA supporters once they return home.
"If you inquire with my staff, a question I frequently pose, what’s the primary reason people are calling us? This issue ranks as the top reason for those calls," stated Rep. Eric Burlison, R-Mo.
Several Republican members, who have spent years amplifying the Epstein case, remained cautious in their critique of the administration’s approach to the situation.
Rep. Anna Paulina Luna speaks to the press as House Members leave the Capitol after a vote for their summer recess, July 23, 2025.Jonathan Ernst/Reuters
Rep. Anna Paulina Luna, R-Fla., asserted that the administration has made greater efforts to investigate the issue and ensure transparency.
When asked if the White House had overpromised, Luna responded, "They requested that unsealing. The court rejected that, which I believe the court should clarify. It doesn’t necessarily imply that they are finished with it."
Members of the House Oversight Committee are gearing up to briefly interrupt their recess for a visit to a federal prison in Florida on Aug. 11, following the panel’s official subpoena of Epstein associate Ghislaine Maxwell on Wednesday for a deposition.
Rep. Tim Burchett, R-Tenn., who advocated for Maxwell’s compelled testimony, labeled her a "liar" and a "dirtbag."
When asked why they would subpoena her if she is untrustworthy, Burchett replied, "Well, because the one thing we have hanging over her is, if we discover she lies, she returns to her original sentence, which could be life. And if she’s considering leveraging this to lessen her sentence, we might have some leverage there."
Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., who has been the most outspoken among Republicans in criticizing Trump’s management of the matter, expressed his belief that the president is approaching a potential breaking point with his supporters.
"The Epstein issue is symbolic and encapsulates why individuals were so eager to vote for Trump. Consequently, it won’t vanish during August. I believe it will intensify," Massie conveyed.
Rep. Tim Burchett addresses the press following the U.S. House of Representatives’ decision to pass President Donald Trump’s extensive spending and tax legislation on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., July 3, 2025. Ken Cedeno/Reuters
"The MAGA supporters chose a Republican majority and voted for Donald Trump as president to hold the untouchables accountable, because there has always been a certain class of individuals who appear to be above the law. Therefore, the Epstein files pertain to reaching those individuals," Massie stated.
Massie confirmed he will not retract his efforts to procedurally prompt a vote on the release of Epstein records when the House reconvenes after Labor Day.
When asked if he thought the MAGA supporters could wait until after the recess for answers, Massie replied, "They shouldn’t have to wait another day."
In the meantime, Democrats are taking pleasure in the GOP discord.
Sourse: abcnews.go.com
