'Bigger than Watergate': Thomas Massie warns Epstein scandal exposes state complicity

Is the Jeffrey Epstein saga bigger than the greatest presidential scandal in American history? Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) certainly thinks so. The libertarian Republican, in a recent interview with Local 12 WKRC-TV, described the case as bigger than Watergate and the Iran-Contra Affair combined because it "spans four presidencies." 

Massie explained the fundamental nature of the case by highlighting individuals such as Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor (formerly Prince Andrew), Peter Mendelson, the former British ambassador to the United States, and former Prime Minister of Norway, among others. He said that they were not arrested for sex trafficking, but for "mishandling state affairs."

"This is what's deeper and darker than Epstein's sexual predation. Our governments were compromised around the world by wealthy connected billionaires and by Jeffrey Epstein himself," he averred.

Massie's comments suggest that the Epstein case will prove to be a turning point, for it represents systemic rot and government compromise far exceeding any historical precedents. They also highlight how the cover-up continues despite the release of nearly 3.5 million documents, because there have been no arrests except that of Ghislaine Maxwell. This rhetoric signals an intensifying bipartisan push to force complete transparency from the Justice Department, despite alleged administrative resistance, and deliver justice to the survivors.

Massie's motivation to co-sponsor the Epstein Files Transparency Act was not solely political. He was particularly disturbed by instances where young girls were asked to find a substitute to take their place if they wanted to escape the sexual abuse. "Some of them took that deal. It's one thing to be evil to a child. It's another thing to get a child to do evil," he stated.

Epstein's 2008 sentence (an 18-month jail term for soliciting sex from underage girls), in Massie's view, enabled him to victimize hundreds more women. "We want to

know why he was given that light sentence," he told the interviewer.

When asked about Trump's complicity in the case, Massie rubbished the claims as outlandish, while expressing surprise over the President's apprehension about releasing the files. 

"Our system of justice is broken. If there's two sets of rules in this country, then we don't have a republic," he concluded.

Massie is among the most outspoken Republicans in the House, frequently clashing with President Trump, most notably over his dogged pursuit of unredacted files from the Jeffrey Epstein investigation. This put him on a collision course with his own party, ultimately triggering a primary challenge in his Congressional district. Now, Massie finds himself fighting to maintain his seat against the Trump-backed retired Navy SEAL Ed Gallrein in what has become the most expensive House primary to date.