Massie fires back after Johnson calls his Epstein records push 'meaningless'

"I would describe virtually everything Thomas Massie says, as related to this issue, as meaningless," Johnson told reporters, delivering his harshest remarks yet against the Kentucky Republican.

The jab came minutes before Massie introduced a measure designed to bypass Johnson and force a vote on legislation compelling the release of a wide range of Department of Justice (DOJ) records tied to Epstein. Johnson, meanwhile, is backing a separate resolution authorizing the House Oversight Committee's inquiry into the case.

Massie and Rep. Ro Khanna, D-Calif., are spearheading a discharge petition - a rare procedural move that allows lawmakers to circumvent leadership if a majority of House members sign on. 

Massie told Fox News Digital he expected enough signatures to hit that threshold by the end of this week.

"I think there's a real good chance of that," he said.

As of Tuesday afternoon, the petition had two signatures: Massie and Rep. Jim McGovern, D-Mass.

Asked about Johnson's comments, Massie blasted House leaders' measure as a "placebo resolution."

Johnson argued his approach balances transparency with privacy concerns for Epstein's victims.

He told reporters Tuesday, "I would not put much stock into what Thomas Massie says."

"The House Republicans have been very consistent about maximum disclosure and maximum transparency with the Epstein files, but we had to do it in a way that would protect the innocent victims of these horrific crimes," Johnson said. "We have achieved that. Now we have a resolution that will accomplish that desired end. And what people want to do with this for political purpose is, to me, this is really just shameful."

The showdown underscores intensifying GOP divisions over how to handle the DOJ's handling of Epstein's case, which was reignited after an internal memo effectively declared the matter closed earlier this year.