Representative Thomas Massie announced on NBC’s Meet the Press that he will use his constitutional immunity to read redacted names from the Epstein Files on the House floor, directly accusing Attorney General Todd Blanche and FBI Director Kash Patel of perjury for claiming no additional names exist in the documents.

Constitutional Protection Enables Public Disclosure

Massie plans to invoke Article I, Section 6 of the Constitution, which grants members of Congress immunity from prosecution for any speech or debate conducted on the House floor. This protection, known as the Speech or Debate Clause, shields representatives from legal action except in cases of treason, felony, or breach of peace. The Kentucky congressman previously threatened similar action in September 2025 but has now committed to reading the names in the coming weeks and months.

During his Sunday interview with Kirsten Welker, Massie stated that millions of files from the Epstein investigation remain unreleased despite the Epstein Files Transparency Act. President Trump signed this legislation into law last November, mandating the Department of Justice release all documents related to the Epstein case. Massie accused Blanche of violating this federal law by withholding information.

First Lady Supports Full Transparency

Massie referenced First Lady Melania Trump’s recent statement calling for complete disclosure and Congressional hearings for Epstein’s victims. Melania Trump specifically noted that several prominent male executives resigned after the matter became politicized, though she emphasized resignations do not equal guilt. She advocated for survivor testimony under oath before Congress, with each woman’s story permanently entered into the Congressional Record.

The congressman pointed to the First Lady’s remarks as evidence that even those closest to the President recognize Epstein operated with accomplices. He emphasized that regardless of whether current officials cooperate, the Transparency Act remains binding law for years to come, obligating future attorneys general and FBI directors to release the withheld documents.

Accusations Against Justice Department Leadership

Massie directly challenged the credibility of the nation’s top law enforcement officials, stating that successful prosecutions appear impossible with Blanche and Patel in leadership positions. He characterized their claims that no additional names exist in the Epstein files as perjury, a serious federal crime involving false statements under oath. The representative suggested these officials are deliberately concealing information that Congress and the American people have a legal right to access under the transparency law.

This confrontation between a sitting congressman and Justice Department leadership represents an escalation in the ongoing controversy surrounding the extent of Epstein’s network and the government’s willingness to fully expose all individuals connected to the case. Massie’s threat to use congressional privilege as a vehicle for disclosure creates a constitutional collision between executive branch secrecy and legislative branch transparency powers.