Four House Republicans who forced the release of the Epstein files are now allegedly paying the ultimate political price. A new report reveals how Donald Trump’s retaliation campaign has quietly dismantled the careers of every lawmaker who defied him on the issue.
Republicans who voted for the release of Epstein files are losing their Congress roles
Four House Republicans who pushed for the release of Jeffrey Epstein files now face political fallout from President Donald Trump, NBC News reported. The lawmakers, who called themselves “The Bravehearts,” co-sponsored legislation requiring the administration to release Justice Department documents related to Epstein investigations.
Rep. Thomas Massie of Kentucky spearheaded the effort and lost his May primary to a Trump-backed challenger. He told NBC News that Trump’s opposition ran deep. “Trump became irrationally opposed to that more than [defections on] the ‘big, beautiful bill.’ It struck a nerve with him,” Massie said.
Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia resigned from Congress late last year partly due to her feud with Trump over the issue. Rep. Nancy Mace of South Carolina failed this week to make the runoff in her gubernatorial primary. Trump had endorsed a rival candidate in that race. Rep. Lauren Boebert of Colorado remains in Congress but faces potential primary threats next cycle.
Trump previously threatened Boebert after she campaigned with Massie last month. A source close to the president said the calendar alone saved her from a 2026 challenge. Boebert told NBC News she supports the president and remains unconcerned about the attacks.
The White House defended Trump’s record on the Epstein issue. Spokeswoman Abigail Jackson said the president signed the Epstein Files Transparency Act and cooperated with oversight subpoenas. She added that Trump has been “totally exonerated on anything relating to Epstein.”
Mace said she knew the political risks but called the Epstein issue a hill she was “willing to die on.” Massie noted the law ensures future attorneys general must release new Epstein material within 30 days. After losing his primary, Massie vacationed with Greene in Costa Rica. “We joked that she jumped out of the plane, I rode it to the ground, and we both ended up in Costa Rica,” he said.
