Reps. Thomas Massie and Ro Khanna’s monthslong campaign to force President Donald Trump’s hand on the Epstein files started with a text.

Massie, a Kentucky Republican, and Khanna, a California Democrat, had built a relationship over the years. They often chat on the House floor, and this summer, they teamed up on a failed attempt to use a War Powers Resolution to limit the president’s power to take military action against Iran without congressional approval.

At some point, they exchanged cellphone numbers. And when Massie saw Khanna try to use an amendment to force the Justice Department to release the Epstein files in July, he had an idea. He realized the maneuver could be successful if it were led by a Republican.

Massie figured he and Khanna could take advantage of an arcane legislat

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