A thrill records of “Today with George Stephanopoulos” broadcasting on Sunday, July 27, 2025 on ABC Information is listed below. This duplicate might not remain in its last type, might be upgraded and might include small transcription mistakes. For previous program records, go to the “Today” records archive.
KARL: And I’m signed up with currently by the bipartisan duo pressing the Trump management to launch the Epstein data, Republican politician Congressman Tom Massie of Kentucky, and Autonomous Congressman Ro Khanna of The Golden State.
Congressman Massie, allow me begin with you.
You are co-sponsoring this expense to compel a launch of these data. Why– what does– what does your expense do specifically, and why currently?
REP. THOMAS MASSIE, (R) KENTUCKY & & JUDICIARY BOARD PARTICIPANT: It would certainly compel a complete launch of the data. It has the pressure of legislation. It’s not a subpoena. It’s not a rather please would certainly you launch the data. It’s the pressure of legislation. And it’s obtained defenses to edit targets’ names and to avoid, you recognize, launch of kid porn.
Why are we doing it currently? Due to the fact that it had not been previously that I understood just how insincere individuals working with this were. I suggest, they have actually informed all of us along that we were going to obtain these data, and afterwards just just recently did we discover they’re not mosting likely to launch the data.
KARL: So, Congressman Khanna, allow me ask you an actually standard concern on this. Why are Democrats all of a sudden curious about the Epstein instance? I suggest, did– did you or– I suggest, n did you ask the Biden Justice Division to launch these data?
REP. RO KHANNA, (D) THE GOLDEN STATE & & OVERSIGHT BOARD PARTICIPANT: It’s not an unexpected passion. In fact, the previous chair, Elijah Cummings, had an examination beginning in 2019. And I have actually tweeted out sustaining that back in 2019.
We have actually been promoting openness. Throughout the Biden management, both in 2021 and 2024, the court got launch of records. However Donald Trump increased the risks. And he did it in a manner in the project that was warranted. He claimed, appearance, when I arrive, I’m mosting likely to launch the data. Pam Bondi claims there patronizes listing. After that she claims, no, it’s simply a data. She’s mosting likely to launch them.
I really did not slam them in all those very first couple of months. However when they declined to launch the data, when they claimed there’s absolutely nothing even more to see, that’s when we claimed openness needs the complete launch of the data.
KARL: Yes, and– and what is taking place in the management on this, Congressman Massie? I suggest, they– they dedicated– we chatted earlier– concerning 1,000 FBI, DOJ employees, DOJ employees working with this, all this broach launching it and afterwards all of a sudden the head of state’s out describing it as a scam and claiming no one cares.
MASSIE: Well, I do not assume it’s a scam in all. It’s typical of the guarantee that Head of state Trump brought with him to the White Home, just how he stimulated many individuals that had actually taken a look at of the political system. He was mosting likely to be the person that holds all the abundant and effective and politically linked individuals liable, which’s why there’s a lot dissatisfaction now.
I do not assume the head of state himself is specifically linked in these data. You recognize, there have actually been some concepts that that holds true. However I do assume he has good friend that might be humiliated by the launch of these data. And the launch of these data might not link them. It might simply be shame. However, for some factor he’s made a decision to do a 180 on this.
KARL: Currently, there was this tale in “The Wall Surface Road Journal” concerning a– a birthday celebration message that– that “The Journal” records that Trump contacted Epstein for his 50th birthday celebration. And it becomes part of a publication of– of messages. Certainly, the head of state refutes that he did this. He’s taking legal action against “The Wall surface Road Journal” over it. However would certainly you sustain something that Congressman Khanna has been requiring, which is a– pushing the estate of Jeffrey Epstein, summoning the estate to transform that publication over?
MASSIE: Well, I assume we ought to obtain a whole lot greater than simply guide. Allow’s obtain the economic documents of the estate. We’re– comply with the cash, as they state up right here.
KARL: Yes.
MASSIE: We ought to consider the plea-bargain, open that up, see what was the bargain– what was the bargain that was reduced. I assume there’s a whole lot greater than simply that letter.
However that letter is likewise kind of rep of something that’s humiliating, however not unlawful. That, you recognize, an additional reason these data might be secured and– and remain secured. However we’re mosting likely to– we’re mosting likely to compel a ballot on this when we return from the August recess. Ro Khanna and I are making use of a treatment in your home called a discharge request, wherein if we obtain 218 ballots, and we’re well on our means to that, 218 trademarks, after that we can compel the ballot.
KARL: Yes. So you’re simply mosting likely to require a pair much more Republicans to authorize that if Democrats accompany. Are– you can obtain that?
MASSIE: If every– if every Democrat indicators this, I have actually currently obtained 12 Republican co-sponsors, and I just require 6 to authorize it.
KARL: However will they authorize? I suggest, will certainly they– since that– since that’s taking control of your home timetable far from the audio speaker.
MASSIE: Yes. I assume the stress is mosting likely to develop over August recess. I do not assume it’s mosting likely to dissipate like the audio speaker really hopes that it will. And if simply simply half individuals that have actually co-sponsored this regulation follow up and authorize it, after that it’s mosting likely to pertain to the flooring for a ballot.
KARL: So, Congressman Khanna, we had this instead remarkable browse through to Florida of Todd Blanche to meet Ghislaine Maxwell. Do you concur with those that state that she should indicate, desiring her to indicate prior to Congress?
KHANNA: I do. I have actually hesitation provided she was fingered of perjury, provided she has an objective for obtaining an excuse. Once again, like that Todd Blanche was meeting her, supposedly, individually. However I’m for all the proof appearing.
It is necessary, however, that this is not something that is anti-President Trump. This is for openness. I’m much less worried concerning his states. I’m a lot more worried concerning the thousands of individuals that were effective and abundant, that had immunity, and I’m worried concerning bring back justice for the targets.
He assured to reveal this. I assume the American individuals do not assume he’s an ideal individual. They believed he was mosting likely to reveal a system that had not been benefiting them, which’s truly what this has to do with.
KARL: What would certainly be the response if he really experienced and did some type of clemency, approved some type of clemency to Ghislaine Maxwell, Congressman Khanna?
KHANNA: Well, I assume individuals would certainly state, why is he doing that? And is– can we truly think Maxwell’s statement? I suggest, I do not like the wide excuse power to begin with. I assume it has actually been abused. I assume now, however, what the American individuals seriously require is for every one of the proof in the data ahead out so they can choose on their own, so they’re not counting on Maxwell, so they’re not counting on also legislative boards. Allow the American individuals choose.
KARL: And just how would certainly you respond to an excuse or a clemency?
MASSIE: I do not assume she should have that or requires that. I suggest, she’s guilty of criminal offenses. However it’s unsubstantiated that she herself and Epstein did these criminal offenses on their own, right?
KARL: Yes.
MASSIE: So it’s time to discover that else was entailed. And I concur with Ro right here. The financial institution documents do not exist. The records do not exist. They do not alter. The appeal deals that have actually been secured do not exist. Allow’s launch those.
KARL: Prior to you go, I desire– I wish to consider just how Audio speaker Johnson has actually responded to what you are doing on this, attempting to compel a ballot to launch the documents. Below’s simply a few of what Johnson claimed today concerning you.
( BEGIN VIDEO)
REP. MIKE JOHNSON (R-LA): I state Thomas Massie is the one attempting to attack Republican politicians. OK. I’m not specific what his technique is. I do not comprehend Thomas Massie’s inspiration. I truly do not. I do not recognize just how his mind functions. I do not recognize what he’s– what he’s believing.
Thomas Massie might have brought his discharge request anytime over the last 4 and a fifty percent years, over the last 4 years of the Biden management.
( END VIDEO)
KARL: And he likewise claimed honor your heart.
MASSIE: Yes.
KARL: So, just how do you reply to that? And he’s making– of course, he’s asking a variant of the concern I asked Congressman Khanna. He resembles, you recognize, why really did not you attempt to do this 4 years earlier?
MASSIE: Well, like Khanna claimed, you recognize, I have actually obtained proof of tweets where I have actually been requesting for these points prior to. The concern is, why isn’t Mike Johnson having this ballot? Why did he send us home early? And he speaks about political discomfort for Republican politicians, as if by conjuring up openness and causing discomfort, that ought to be extremely informing. What hurts concerning having this ballot?
I’ll inform you what’s politically mosting likely to be a responsibility is if we do not elect on this and we enter into the midterms and everyone comes to be, you recognize, they simply look into due to the fact that Republicans really did not maintain their guarantee, and Donald Trump. We’ll shed the bulk. Incidentally, they’re likewise running $1.8 countless advertisements versus me, Republicans are.
KARL: Republican Politicians. Yes.
MASSIE: For bringing steps such as this to the flooring.
KARL: All right. Congressman Massie, Congressman Khanna, bipartisanship right here on today. Thanks both significantly.
