A group of Republican lawmakers who opposed President Donald Trump’s approach to the Justice Department’s files on Jeffrey Epstein face challenges, notably in the South Carolina gubernatorial primary. Representative Nancy Mace, a vocal advocate for transparency regarding Epstein’s files, is trailing in the race after Trump endorsed her rival, Lieutenant Governor Pamela Evette.
Mace attributes her opposition to the handling of the Epstein files as a crucial factor in Trump’s decision to support Evette. Mace stated to Politico, “That’s the sole reason I didn’t get the endorsement, because I voted to release the Epstein files, and I’m okay with that.” She stressed her commitment to exposing pedophiles and sex traffickers regardless of the election’s result.
Trump’s endorsement has shifted the dynamics of the race, with Evette taking the lead in recent polls. The president praised Evette, calling her a “good friend, fighter, and WINNER” and promised she “will never let you down” in his endorsement.
Despite Evette’s emerging lead, Mace has downplayed Trump’s endorsement’s effect, suggesting it has had limited impact on poll numbers. Nonetheless, the situation highlights ongoing friction within the GOP regarding the Epstein files, an issue that briefly saw Trump at odds with his congressional allies.
The bipartisan effort to release Epstein-related records has created unexpected tension within the party. Although Trump signed the Epstein Files Transparency Act, critics argue the process has been slow and incomplete, sparking complaints from Republicans who supported the legislation. Trump’s dismissal of the controversy as a ‘hoax’ has only added to the discord.
“The bipartisan push to release government records related to the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein created unexpected friction between Trump and a group of Republican lawmakers demanding transparency.”
As primary campaigns heat up, the debate fallout may influence political contests, including South Carolina’s governor race. Thomas Massie, a Kentucky representative who spearheaded the release effort with Democrat Ro Khanna, used a discharge petition to bypass GOP leadership but lost his reelection bid after Trump’s opponent endorsement. Massie attributed his loss partly to his efforts in promoting Epstein’s file transparency.
Nancy Mace, one of four Republicans supporting Massie’s petition, has faced criticism over her stance. However, she remains supportive of Trump, barring the Epstein issue, citing the files’ release as the reason for lacking Trump’s endorsement.
Former Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene, initially a staunch Trump supporter, criticized the handling of the Epstein files, leading to her resignation. Trump called her “Marjorie ‘Traitor’ Brown” after she suggested the Epstein case catalyzed their public split.
Representative Lauren Boebert also supported Massie’s petition and encountered criticism from Trump over her position. Although unopposed in her primary, Boebert acknowledged that her call for transparency on the Epstein files placed her in Trump’s criticism scope.