Lawmakers Slam DOJ Inaction After Melania Trump’s Epstein Statement

First Lady Melania Trump broke her silence on the Jeffrey Epstein scandal with a surprising statement urging Congress to hold public hearings for Epstein survivors. “Epstein was not alone,” she declared, insisting that several powerful men resigned amid the fallout and calling for survivors to testify under oath before lawmakers.

But instead of praise, Melania’s remarks sparked sharp rebuke from members of Congress who pointed to the glaring inaction of the Justice Department during the Trump administration. Republican Rep. Thomas Massie, a vocal advocate for Epstein transparency, fired back that it was the DOJ’s job—not Congress’s—to prosecute Epstein’s enablers. “First Lady asks Congress to bring Epstein survivors in for testimony. With all due respect, that’s @DAGToddBlanche’s job!” Massie tweeted, tagging the acting attorney general, a former Trump personal lawyer.

Massie and Democratic Rep. Ro Khanna, who have repeatedly pushed for full disclosure of the Epstein files, highlighted the Trump administration’s refusal to pursue additional charges or comply with laws mandating file releases. Khanna challenged GOP Speaker Mike Johnson to act on the bipartisan calls for hearings, emphasizing the need for investigations and prosecutions of all those victimizing women alongside Epstein.

The Trump Justice Department’s failure to act has been a consistent sore point. In February, then-Attorney General Pam Bondi was grilled on Capitol Hill for stonewalling efforts to charge others involved, even as Epstein survivors stood behind her. Bondi refused to acknowledge them. Later, the administration fought to block congressional legislation requiring the release of Epstein-related documents, only relenting when the bill’s passage was inevitable.

Survivors and their advocates have long demanded transparency and justice. Yet, despite Trump’s campaign promises to release Epstein files, his administration’s DOJ declared last summer that no further charges would be pursued—sparking outrage across the nation.

Melania’s sudden intervention came without explanation. After reading her statement, she left without taking questions, leaving many to wonder why she chose now to speak out after months of silence.

Republican Rep. Anna Paulina Luna also seized on Melania’s statement to demand DOJ prosecutions of individuals who took plea deals, calling for civil rights violation charges where appropriate.

The Epstein scandal continues to expose deep failures within the Trump administration’s handling of justice and accountability. Melania’s call for hearings may be a welcome acknowledgment, but it also highlights the glaring absence of leadership from the very office she inhabits.

The question remains: will Congress and the Justice Department finally act to bring Epstein’s powerful enablers to justice, or will this remain another broken promise in a long list of Trump-era betrayals?