Hinson says effort by Republican to force House vote on Epstein files not being done the right way

WASHINGTON — The lone Republican in the US House who has been willing to regularly break with President Trump on major policy matters is now leading an effort to force a vote on whether or not the administration should release files related to the case of Jeffrey Epstein.

Thomas Massie of Kentucky started a procedural maneuver on Tuesday night that could lead to a vote within weeks.

During a conference call with reporters on Wednesday afternoon, north-central Iowa congresswoman Ashley Hinson said she does not back Massie’s efforts. “I think we can all agree Jeffrey Epstein was a disgusting human being and an absolute pedophile, we know that to be true. I think Thomas Massie is approaching this in the wrong way, and he’s doing it in a way that would give the floor to Democrats, which is not how we should be doing business. I think Americans are right to have more questions and demand justice for the victims. I do fully trust the administration’s continued commitment to the truth, and I’ll help echo that as I need to.”

Hinson was asked what the right way Massie should deal with the situation should be.  “I do trust President Trump here, and Pam Bondi to do the right thing, and Kash Patel to do the right thing at the FBI. I can tell you this that I know a lot of people like to use issues as political wedges. I think we’re seeing that a little bit out of Tom Massie in what’s happening here. I also believe that obviously, you referenced potentially protecting the president, well I would say this. President Biden was president for four years, and if there was something damning in there about President Trump, I think we would all already know it and the mainstream media would be covering it.”

Massie has teamed up with Democrat Ro Khanna of California to file what is known as a discharge petition, which allows any member of the House to force legislation to the floor if a majority of House members sign on. At least six Republicans had signed on by midday Wednesday, meaning if all the Democrats signed on, Massie would have more than enough votes to force a vote on the House floor.