WASHINGTON D.C. – A fresh investigation into the late financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, ordered by U.S. President Donald Trump, has been sharply criticized by a fellow Republican as a potential “smokescreen” designed to prevent the public release of all government files related to the case. The move intensifies a high-stakes political battle in Washington with significant international resonance, touching on themes of justice, power, and transparency.

On Sunday, November 16, 2025, U.S. Representative Thomas Massie, a Republican from Kentucky, publicly questioned the president's motives. Speaking on ABC's 'This Week', Massie suggested the new probe, targeting Democrats with connections to Epstein, could be a tactic to legally obstruct a bipartisan effort in Congress to force the full disclosure of the Epstein documents. “If they have ongoing investigations in certain areas, those documents can’t be released,” Massie stated. “So, this might be a big smokescreen... as a last-ditch effort to prevent the release of the Epstein files.”

President Trump directed Attorney General Pam Bondi on Friday, November 14, to investigate Epstein's relationships with prominent Democrats and financial institutions, including former President Bill Clinton. The directive, announced via Trump's Truth Social platform, came just days after the House Oversight Committee released over 20,000 pages of documents from Epstein's estate. These documents included emails suggesting Trump and his former adviser, Steve Bannon, had closer ties to Epstein than previously admitted. In one 2019 email, Epstein alleged that Trump “knew about the girls.”

Bipartisan Push for Transparency

Massie, along with Democratic Congressman Ro Khanna of California, is leading a congressional push for the passage of the Epstein Files Transparency Act. They have successfully used a procedural tool known as a discharge petition to force a vote on the bill in the House of Representatives, expected this week. This maneuver bypasses the House leadership, which has been hesitant to advance the legislation. Massie expressed optimism that more than 100 Republicans could join Democrats to pass the bill, potentially creating a veto-proof majority.

The controversy places the Trump administration in a difficult position. The Justice Department had previously stated in a July 2025 memo that an “exhaustive review” of Epstein-related material “did not uncover evidence that could predicate an investigation against uncharged third parties.” The new order to investigate Democrats appears to contradict this earlier finding, fueling accusations that the Justice Department is being politicized. Attorney General Bondi, a former defense attorney for Trump, announced she had assigned Jay Clayton, the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York, to lead the new probe.

Global and Regional Context

While the immediate political fallout is centered in the United States, the Epstein saga has far-reaching international implications. Epstein's network of associates included powerful figures from across the globe in politics, business, and academia. The full release of the files could expose embarrassing or potentially criminal connections for influential individuals worldwide, impacting international relations and global business dealings.

For Kenya and the East Africa region, the case serves as a stark reminder of the global nature of elite networks and the challenges of holding powerful individuals accountable for sexual exploitation and trafficking. The fight for transparency in the U.S. mirrors ongoing struggles against corruption and impunity in many parts of the world, including East Africa. The outcome of the congressional vote and the subsequent actions of the White House will be watched closely by international observers as a barometer of the health and independence of American democratic institutions.

The newly released documents have already provided a deeper look into Epstein's efforts to maintain his influence even after his 2008 conviction for soliciting prostitution from a minor. Emails show him advising Steve Bannon on building a right-wing political movement in Europe and corresponding with a range of powerful figures. The continued revelations underscore the public interest in full disclosure, a sentiment echoed by Epstein's survivors who have joined lawmakers in calling for the files' release. As the U.S. Congress prepares for a landmark vote, the integrity of its justice system and its commitment to transparency are under intense global scrutiny.