GOP Leaders Instantly Fold at Hearing Under Cross Exam

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2:00Ben Meiselas:Hey, it's Ryan Reynolds here for Mint Mobile. Now, I was looking for fun ways to tell you that Mint's offer of unlimited premium wireless for$15 a month is back. So I thought it would be fun if we made$15 bills. But it turns out that's very illegal. So there goes my big idea for the commercial. Give it a try at mintmobile.com slash switch. Upfront payment of$45 for three months,$90 for six months, or$180 for 12-month plan required. $15 per month equivalent. Taxes and fees extra. Initial plan term only. Greater than 50 gigabytes. May slow when network is busy. So, of course, today is the big press conference of the victims of Epstein and Ghislaine that's taking place on Capitol Hill.

2:39Ben Meiselas:So during the various congressional committees, the MAGA Republicans are desperately trying to block the Epstein files from being released. And they're trying to cause distractions and they're pulling all of these stunts. I mean, one of the things that we're getting word about is that the Trump regime is saying that it is a hostile act if you sign on to the discharge petition, which is a bipartisan resolution by Thomas Massey, a Republican from Kentucky, and Democratic Congress member Ro Khanna from California. And because MAGA Mike Johnson is not introducing the resolution himself on the floor as of now, they're doing what's called a discharge petition where you have to collect the necessary signatures one by one in order to pass the resolution and go around the Speaker of the House, in this case, MAGA Mike Johnson.

3:38Ben Meiselas:And so the statement from the Trump regime is helping Thomas Massey and liberal Democrats with their attention seeking while the DOJ is fully supporting a more comprehensive file release effort from the oversight committee would be viewed as a very hostile act to the administration. So Trump's saying, if you say release these files and you sign on to the Massey-Kana bipartisan discharge petition to that resolution, it's a hostile act against the administration. But let me bring you inside the House Oversight Committee so you can see what's taking place in the various committees here as well. House Oversight and rules and what's generally taking place.

4:22Ben Meiselas:And Democratic Congress member McGovern really exposed this beautifully when he called James Comer, who chairs the House Oversight Committee in front of McGovern. And McGovern was like, Democratic Congress member McGovern is like, so do you support the Massey-Kana resolution, bipartisan resolution? And then Comer's like, oh, it's very disappointing you're trying to politicize it. Here, play this clip. I mean, do you support the Massey counter resolution? Yes or no? We're already doing it. And the discharge petition does not have the force of law. We've already subpoenaed it. You can be. No. And I know it's very disappointing that you're trying to politicize this.

5:10We're trying to get answers. We're trying to do everything that's in this discharge petition. But but you're trying to politicize. No, it's a yes or no question. It's not a trick question. I mean, do you think... We've already done what the discharge petition's asking. Do you think the resolution saying to keep doing what you were doing is better than a bill that could become law? The bill has no force of law. It has no force of the law. You're just trying to do a political stunt. I have asked you. Look, ask the question. Well, I was asking a question. He interrupted me. Okay. It's a simple yes or no question.

5:48Simple yes or no question. We're already doing it. Well, that's not a yes or no. But do you think the resolution saying to keep doing what you were doing is better than a bill that can become law, which would require the release of all the files? It doesn't have the force of the law. It's just a political stunt. It's just a political stunt. And, you know. This is a resolution. The mass economy bill would become law. If all you Republicans want everything released, then, you know, you could vote for it. And then if he decides to veto it, you could override the veto.

6:21Ben Meiselas:As Ro Khanna says, Massey is a conservative. I'm a progressive. This is about standing with survivors and protecting kids. The people playing politics are the ones not signing our petition to force the release of the Epstein files. And Democratic Congress member Jim McGovern says, I asked a simple yes or no question. Do you support the bipartisan Massey-Kana bill to demand the release of the Epstein files? James Comer couldn't answer. I wonder why. Because Comer's been ordered by the Trump regime to be part of this cover-up. And the way this cover-up is going down as well is that about, what, a week and a half ago or two weeks ago, the DOJ produced 33 ,000 documents that they claim are the Epstein files.

7:07Ben Meiselas:They're not. The same way back in February, they gave those right-wing influencers a binder that was like Epstein files. And I was like, that's not the Epstein files. That's a binder with Epstein's phone call list on it. And that's been released many, many years ago. What they did two weeks ago, the DOJ, is they released 33 ,000 documents that had already been, or pages that had already been produced before also. So 1 % of what they produced was actually new stuff. And that's not the Epstein files of what we know to be out there. The stuff that likely also has Trump's name and all the powerful rich people who were part of this, potentially part of this broader conspiracy taking place.

7:52Ben Meiselas:So James Comers asked about Ghislaine Maxwell. And should we do oversight regarding why was the Trump DOJ interviewing Ghislaine Maxwell like that? And they moved her to a minimum security facility and they gave her immunity. And James Comer is like, well, I think y 'all are just jealous that Maxwell exonerated Donald Trump. Maxwell exonerated Donald Trump. This is part. Do you see what they're doing here? This is all, this was the plan that they hatched over the summer. Call Congress into recess, get Ghislaine to meet with Donald Trump's former criminal defense attorney, the number two at the DOJ, Todd Blanche, who was Trump's former criminal defense attorney.

8:39Ben Meiselas:Give her immunity, get her to say the right things, release 33 ,000 old files, but it's a big number, 33 ,000. So then tell the people, look, we released the Epstein files and Ghislaine vindicated Trump. Wow, we did our job. No, that's just part of your plan to cover it up. And we're staying laser focused on what's really happening here. Watch Comer respond to this question and say, y 'all are just mad that Ghislaine Maxwell exonerated Donald Trump. Play this clip. Question was whether you would hold a hearing as if she was transferred, why she was transferred after we'll have a hearing and if someone wants to ask that question they can ask it you can ask any question we'll have a hearing yeah you but it wasn't a hearing on what the question was and you want to have a whole hearing a whole entire hearing not about the victims not about a government cover-up not about human trafficking but about uh maxwell b who you all were like begging to be deposed and i did the spina now you want to now you don't now you're mad because she exonerated trump we brought in bill barr who is no you know i don't think it's any secret that he and trump aren't uh best of friends and he i'm gonna reclaim my time well that's fine the time the question wasn't about shouldn't we do all these things but this is something very specific that indeed, as I understand, the victims raised today, they're outwaged that this has happened.

10:11And it is indeed a re-traumatization when somebody who has done such horrible things is then treated favorably under these conditions. And I think that's where it's had.

10:22Ben Meiselas:By the way, she didn't exonerate Donald Trump. Let's be very clear. She said she didn't see things with Epstein. She said she didn't see things with Donald Trump. She didn't even know how she met Donald Trump. And she's like, I didn't really even have a good relationship. I didn't really know him that much. I've always seen him as a gentleman. That's what I saw as I'm little Mary Poppins is like a Mary Poppins routine. It was very weird and odd. And then she also said, oh, Epstein didn't really like the young women or that she called them women. It's girls. Let's be clear what it is. It's like, yeah, he, he liked the, he liked the young women because he was interested in their taste of music.

10:58Ben Meiselas:He really wanted to know like what the, what the kids were listening to. That's all. And then she went on to say, do you think that all of these like powerful, dignified men would be hanging out with Epstein if he was creepy? He wasn't that creepy. So let's be clear what the hell Ghislaine was saying and what we've been exposing here at the Midas Touch Network. Then you have Democratic Congresswoman Fernandez, and she does a great job cross-examining Comer right here. And she says, okay, Comer, under the way you're proposing to do things, you become the authority of redactions and what gets produced publicly.

11:36Ben Meiselas:If you really want to do this in a bipartisan way, why don't you agree in writing that it's you and Democratic Congress member Garcia, the ranking member, you both do it together so we can have transparency and watch Comer squirm under cross-exam. Here, play this clip. Now, Chairman Comer, this resolution would give you, and only you, the power to decide what information in these documents is redacted or withheld. Is that correct?

12:11Well, we're trying to do this in a bipartisan manner. Our staffs are communicating. I hope Mr. Garcia would agree. I think our staffs, he's new to the new to the job. And I think our staffs are working together really well and hopefully we'll continue to work well. Like I said, I want this to be bipartisan. So, Chairman Comer, I appreciate that fact that you said you want to work on a bipartisan basis on this. But the resolution does not require you to consult with the ranking member. And if you want to be bipartisan, would you be willing to accept an amendment? I'm making a pledge to work with Mr.

12:53Garcia. A pledge is a wonderful thing, but an amendment that actually puts it into writing would be great. Would you be willing to accept that amendment? I think the resolution's good, and hopefully we'll vote it out in a bipartisan manner. OK, so you're not willing to actually put it in writing that you will that the ranking member will be consulted before you. I guarantee that I'll consult with him a heck of a lot more than Elijah Cummins and Carolyn Maloney consulted with me when they were chairman of the committee. I'm not asking about past. I'm asking about what this is. And this is the problem.

13:28And and the reason why we're concerned about this is, Chairman Comer, I've heard accounts of you describing yourself as a Trump man. I mean, I support the president. You support the president. And this is why it would be important to have in writing the bipartisan nature, because we want there to be bipartisanship so that it is not a... I want it to, but you all are making a good case up here. but I'm hopeful that Mr. Garcia is going to see past the behavior of the Democrats on the Rules Committee. Madam Chair, Chairman Comer, I was speaking. And I think that it is important that we have people looking at these docs that are not a Trump man so that we can make sure that everything gets responded to, because right now we haven't seen it.

14:21And that's why we want to make it the law of the land. We want to make sure that all Republicans vote on the Massey-Khaner resolution so that they can say, we want to make sure it becomes available.

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15:44Ben Meiselas:They even have an app and a browser extension you can download. No account required. No signup required. It is completely free to use. Stop wasting money on brand names and start saving with dupe.com today. More from Democratic Congress member McGovern right here. And McGovern makes it clear, okay, so you're investigating the mismanagement that led to Epstein's death. Who was in office during that time period? Here play this clip. Mr. Comey, this resolution that was before us right now says that you're investigating mismanagement that led to Mr. Epstein's death. Who was the president of the United States when Mr.

16:22Epstein died in custody? It would have I would assume it would have been Trump.

16:28Ben Meiselas:Yeah. And I got to give a hot tip to Republican Congress member Thomas Massey. He's been steadfast. He's been attacked every way by Trump and MAGA at this point. And Manu Raju from CNN asks Massey, so Donald Trump's calling this all a hoax, that Epstein's a hoax, the files are a hoax. What's your response, Massey? He gives a brilliant response. Play this clip. The president's called it a hoax. He's called it a hoax. I hope he doesn't say that after tomorrow when 10 of the survivors testify in public. That would be very disrespectful. for. Next, Manu Raju asks MAGA Republican Congress member Lauren Boebert, who, by the way, signed on to the bipartisan discharge petition with Massey and with Kanna.

17:18Ben Meiselas:And here she's asked by Manu Raju. Donald Trump is calling this a hoax. What do you have to say about it? Watch her response. Let's play this clip. American people have been demanding answers. I've been demanding answers and I would like to see what's actually there. The president's called this a hoax and maybe it is. We'll see. But I think that we should have transparency. More from Thomas Massey right here. Here play this clip where he says, look, the documents that the DOJ turned over, it's like 1 % of what they possess and they've turned over 97 % of what's already been released. Like what the hell are they doing?

17:55Ben Meiselas:Watch Massey Cook here play this clip. It's like only 1 % of what they possess. And 97 % of it's already been released. I'm afraid this is going to be like Pam Bondi's binders. People are going to dig into it and say there's nothing new here. They haven't given us anything. They've given us the sleeves off their vest. Here was an interesting part where you had MAGA Republican Congresswoman Nancy May say she's not worried about crossing Donald Trump on Epstein because she goes, Donald Trump is the one who banned Epstein from Mar-a-Lago. He was an FBI informant. He talked to the feds to get this guy turned over.

18:37Ben Meiselas:So Donald Trump is a hero in all of this. It's interesting for her to say that Trump was an informant. That's new. But by the way, That's what Michael Wolff, Donald Trump's former biographer and Epstein's potential biographer actually was saying that Epstein believed that after Epstein and Trump were involved in potential litigation and Trump screwed over Epstein on a real estate deal where Trump sold a property in southern Florida for twice the purchase price. So he scooped the property out of that when Epstein said he was going to buy it. And Epstein was pissed and Epstein was wondering, how would you get this Russian oligarch to double the price of what you bought it for, Donald?

19:24Ben Meiselas:Epstein actually thought that because he and Donald were involved in, let's just say, a lot of things together. We'll just say that things that Donald may have said. Donald's not the hero in this story. Donald was aware of what Epstein was doing for reasons and that Epstein was like, maybe Donald was an anonymous source that that told on me to avoid the litigation that may have been coming. Donald Trump. So it was actually one of the things that Epstein thought like, whoa, because Trump was there with Epstein and saw a lot of things as well. Let me show you this as well. But Trump was not the good guy and is very much the bad guy in that story.

20:04Ben Meiselas:Anna Paulina Luna right here. Here's what she's got to say. Play this clip. Is there more information beyond these 33 ,000 pages that needs to come out? There's going to be names. The attorneys kept emphasizing you need to follow up on the names. These girls are not just making this up. These are some of the wealthiest people probably in the world. And we'll start from there. More from Thomas Massey. Let's play it. Look, if my legislation were redundant, why would the White House be trying to stop it? It's not redundant. there are things that the White House doesn't want out there that my legislation would cause to be released.

20:41And that, I mean, even the White House doesn't believe that the Oversight Committee has released everything.

20:47Ben Meiselas:More from Thomas Massey here. Let's play it. Jobs, the economy. Those are always the big issues. But you really can't solve any of that if this place is corrupt. What do you mean if this place is corrupt? Well, I mean, if they're going to cover up for rich and powerful and politically connected people, which is still what is happening right now here. Are you worried about the blowback that you're facing from the White House, from the president? He continues to attack you for taking steps like this. Look, I got three billionaires right now running ads against me in Kentucky, and one of them's in Epstein's Black Book.

21:19So I'm not worried about it. I've already poked the hornet's nest here. And, you know, once you're once you're in for a penny, you're in for a pound. We're going to get these files released.

21:30Ben Meiselas:Here is Democratic Congress member Garcia talking about how the documents that were turned over by the DOJ were all these old documents. Play this clip. Most of the documents that were sent to our committee, those initial documents were given to right-wing influencers back in February. The files and the full report, according to the Attorney General, were sitting on her desk ready to be released. We know that the Attorney General herself has shared with the President directly that he is also in the files. The reason, and we don't understand why this cover-up by the president continues to not release the full files.

22:12Ben Meiselas:And so the discharge petition is an important additional step forward for the Congress, the full Congress to be on record to release the full files. And here was Democratic Congress member Dan Goldman talking about the massive cover-up. Here, play this clip. Mike Johnson shut down Congress a week early because he didn't even want to deal with these Epstein files. But the fact of the matter is there's this is a cover up. This is a massive cover up. They're not just stonewalling. They're trying to do it through charades and and sleight of hand, so to speak. But they are covering something up. This Donald Trump was hot to trot and Kash Patel and Dan Bongino were leading the charge to release the Epstein files.

22:59Now, Now, all of a sudden, they don't want them released. They are trying to hide something. And by releasing these documents, most of which have been released before, others will not have any relevant information. My suspicion is that the Oversight Committee is colluding with the Department of Justice. If you look at a resolution, an alternative resolution they're going to present this week, it does not call for the witness statements. It gives all sorts of goes through many different sections, types of information that should be released. It does include the witness statements. If it doesn't include the witness statements, then it doesn't include the core of the Epstein files.

23:38Ben Meiselas:One more clip here from Congress member Goldman. Let's play it. Congressman, do you think I mean, it seems like there's nothing really new in these so far. There's nothing new. This is all a charade. This is all an effort by the DOJ at Trump's direction to collaborate with Chairman James Comer and the top Republicans in Congress to give the Republicans enough so that they have political cover to conceal the Epstein files and whatever it is in there that Donald Trump is so desperate to hide. after he was so desperate for it to be released. And on a slightly different topic, here are Republicans on the Rules Committee voting down an amendment that would require the speaker to hang a plaque honoring Capitol Police officers who protected members of Congress on January 6th, which is already required by law.

24:36Ben Meiselas:There's a law saying you have to post this, but they're not doing it. Why? Because Donald Trump is a vile piece of trash. Play this clip. Is there any further discussion on the amendment? Hearing none, the question's on the amendment. All those in favor, signify by saying aye. Aye. Those opposed, say no. No. In the opinion, Chair, the no's have it. I ask for a roll call, Madam Chair. The clerk will call the roll. Mrs. Fishbach. No. Mrs. Fishbach. No, Mr. Norman. No. Mr. Norman. No, Mr. Roy. No. Mr. Roy. No, Mrs. Houchen. Mrs. Houchen. No, Mr. Langworthy. No. Mr. Langworthy. No, Mr. Scott. No. Mr.