Speaker Mike Johnson is urging House Republicans to let the Trump administration do its work on the Epstein case while accusing Democrats of politicizing it. (Getty Images)
A Department of Justice (DOJ) memo earlier this month declaring the Epstein case closed ignited a civil war within the GOP, with figures on the far right accusing Trump officials of stonewalling despite promises of transparency.
Days later, Trump called on a federal judge to release grand jury testimony in Epstein’s case.
Democrats, meanwhile, have seized on the discord with newfound calls to "release the Epstein files," as Rep. Jim McGovern, D-Mass., the top Democrat on the House Rules Committee, put it on multiple occasions.
Democrats on the panel – which serves as the final gatekeeper to legislation that requires a simple majority vote – have used their ability to introduce an unlimited number of amendments during committee hearings to force Republicans to take politically sticky votes on releasing information about Epstein.
"There is a list, that list is a victim list. And you’ve got to carefully walk through a victims list, because it involved Epstein. Epstein was involved with minors," said Rep. Ryan Zinke, R-Mont. "I think the other thing is, I find ironic just out of circumstance, that the Democrats are pushing so hard for an Epstein file that the Biden administration had for four years."
It led to House GOP leaders advancing a nonbinding resolution calling on the Trump administration to release the files, though it’s not clear when that will receive a chamber-wide vote.
But Democrats pledged to work from the same playbook during a Monday night Rules Committee hearing to kick off the GOP agenda. Republicans responded by forcing those proceedings to grind to a halt.
President Donald Trump has urged Republicans to move on, while calling on a judge to release Epstein grand jury files. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., teamed up with Rep. Ro Khanna, D-Calif., on a measure that could force a House-wide vote on releasing Epstein-related documents – if it netted a majority of the chamber’s support. That mechanism, called a discharge petition, could force House GOP leaders into a difficult position when they are back in early September.
Several Republican lawmakers have signed onto Massie’s measure in support.
Meanwhile, the House Oversight Committee unanimously approved a move by Rep. Tim Burchett, R-Tenn., to call for imprisoned ex-Epstein associate Ghislaine Maxwell to be subpoenaed.
Three more House Republicans, however, told Fox News Digital they believe most lawmakers want the matter to dissipate.
148 DEMOCRATS BACK NONCITIZEN VOTING IN DC AS GOP RAISES ALARM ABOUT FOREIGN AGENTS
One locked in on Massie and his nonbinding resolution, "He’s doing all of this for self-promotion and attention, and it’s sad and pathetic."
Even Johnson took aim at Massie during his weekly press conference when asked about his discharge petition.
"It's interesting to me that he chose the election of President Trump to bring this, to team up with the Democrats and bring this discharge petition," the speaker said.
"I also try to follow the Scripture. You know it says, Bless those who persecute you. So let me just say about Thomas Massie: Could you just accept my Southern, bless his heart."
Attorney General Pam Bondi has been under fire by some on the right over her handling of the matter. (Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images)
"If we don't take the right side of this issue, it's going to cost us votes in the midterms. People are becoming despondent. They're apathetic. Why would they go vote if they gave us the House, the Senate and the White House and the transparency and justice they were promised doesn't happen?" Massie said. "And I think it could be a real problem for us. That's why it would behoove the speaker to bring this to the floor. It would be in the best interest of this institution just to vote this out and give it to the Senate and let them do their thing."
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When reached for comment, the White House responded with a lengthy statement touting Trump’s accomplishments that did not mention Epstein.
"Under President Trump’s leadership, the Republican Party has achieved unprecedented unity and strength. After securing the largest share of votes ever for a Republican presidential nominee and winning majorities in both the House and Senate, President Trump has delivered the most impactful first six months of any presidency. He has fulfilled numerous campaign promises – and then some!" said spokesman Harrison Fields.
Indeed, Republicans have had a number of significant legislative successes this year, even with a razor-thin majority.
When reached for comment, a DOJ spokesperson pointed Fox News Digital to Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche's statement on Tuesday, digging in on the department's earlier memo.
"[I]n the recent thorough review of the files maintained by the FBI in the Epstein case, no evidence was uncovered that could predicate an investigation against uncharged third parties. President Trump has told us to release all credible evidence. If Ghislane Maxwell has information about anyone who has committed crimes against victims, the FBI and the DOJ will hear what she has to say," Blanche said. "Therefore, at the direction of Attorney General Bondi, I have communicated with counsel for Ms. Maxwell to determine whether she would be willing to speak with prosecutors from the Department."
Elizabeth Elkind is a politics reporter for Fox News Digital leading coverage of the House of Representatives. Previous digital bylines seen at Daily Mail and CBS News.
Follow on Twitter at @liz_elkind and send tips to elizabeth.elkind@fox.com
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