Epstein furor undermines public trust, Republican election hopes, two US lawmakers say

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The uproar over disgraced financier and intercourse offender Jeffrey Epstein might undermine public belief within the Trump administration, in addition to Republican hopes of retaining management of Congress within the 2026 midterm elections, two US lawmakers stated on Sunday.

Republican Consultant Thomas Massie and Democratic Consultant Ro Khanna, who need the Home of Representatives to vote on their bipartisan decision requiring full launch of the federal government’s Epstein recordsdata, stated the shortage of transparency is reinforcing public perceptions that the wealthy and highly effective stay past the attain of the judicial system.

“That is going to harm Republicans within the midterms. The voters will likely be apathetic if we don’t maintain the wealthy and highly effective accountable,” Massie, a hardline conservative from Kentucky, advised NBC’s “Meet the Press” program.

President Donald Trump at Trump Turnberry golf membership in Turnberry, Scotland on July 27, 2025. Getty Photos

Republicans hope so as to add to their present 219-212 Home majority – with 4 seats at present vacant – and 53-47 Senate majority in November 2026, though the US political cycle historically punishes the celebration of the sitting president throughout midterm elections.

The Washington Put up reported late on Sunday that Trump was more and more annoyed along with his administration’s dealing with of the furor round Epstein.

Even so, the president was hesitant to make personnel adjustments to keep away from making a “larger spectacle” as his prime officers underestimated the outrage from Trump’s personal base over the problem, the newspaper reported, citing unnamed sources.

Khanna stated Lawyer Common Pam Bondi triggered “a disaster of belief” by saying there was no record of Epstein shoppers after beforehand implying that one existed. The change in place unleashed a tsunami of requires her resignation from Trump’s MAGA base.

“That is about belief in authorities,” the California Democrat advised “Meet the Press.”

“That is about being a reform agent of transparency.”

The uproar over disgraced financier and intercourse offender Jeffrey Epstein might undermine public belief within the Trump administration. AP

President Donald Trump, who on Sunday introduced an EU commerce deal in Scotland, has been annoyed by continued questions on his administration’s dealing with of investigative recordsdata associated to Epstein’s felony prices and 2019 demise by suicide in jail.

Massie and Khanna imagine they will win sufficient assist from fellow lawmakers to drive a vote on their decision when Congress returns from its summer season recess in September.

However they face opposition from Republican leaders together with Home Speaker Mike Johnson, who despatched lawmakers house a day early to stymie Democratic efforts to drive a vote earlier than the break.

A photograph of the cell the place Jeffrey Epstein dedicated suicide. CBS 60 MINUTES

Johnson, who additionally appeared on NBC’s “Meet the Press,” stated he favors a non-binding different decision that requires launch of “credible” proof, however which he stated would higher defend victims together with minors.

“The Massie and Khanna discharge petition is reckless in the best way that it's drafted and offered,” Johnson stated. “It doesn't adequately embrace these protections.”

Massie dismissed Johnson’s declare as “a straw man” excuse. “Ro and I fastidiously crafted this laws in order that the victims’ names will likely be redacted,” he stated. “They’re hiding behind that.”

Trump has tried and failed to date to distract consideration from the Epstein controversy six months into his second time period.

Trump shakes palms with US Home Speaker Mike Johnson as he hosts a dinner with Republican members of the U.S. Congress within the East Room of the White Home in Washington, D.C., on July 22, 2025. REUTERS

On Saturday, Trump repeated his claims with out proof that 2024 Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris and different Democrats ought to be prosecuted over cost for endorsements from celebrities together with Oprah Winfrey, Beyonce and the Reverend Al Sharpton.

Final week he accused former President Barack Obama of “treason” over how the Obama administration handled intelligence about Russian interference in US elections 9 years in the past, drawing a rebuke from an Obama spokesperson.

Republican Senator Lindsey Graham, a staunch Trump ally, stated on Sunday that Tulsi Gabbard, Trump’s director of nationwide intelligence, had discovered new data that investigators initially found no proof of Russian election interference however modified their place after Obama advised them to maintain wanting.

“I’m not alleging he dedicated treason, however I'm saying it bothers me,” Graham advised “Meet the Press.”

Democratic Consultant Jason Crow dismissed Gabbard’s claims, telling the “Fox Information Sunday” program that the nationwide intelligence director had turned herself into “a weapon of mass distraction.”