Several Republican lawmakers who diverged from President Donald Trump on the Justice Department’s management of files related to Jeffrey Epstein are now facing political setbacks. This rift is evident in South Carolina’s gubernatorial primary, where Representative Nancy Mace, known for advocating the release of these files, trails behind Lieutenant Governor Pamela Evette. Trump’s endorsement of Evette has reshaped the race.
Mace attributes Trump’s lack of endorsement for her to her stance on the Epstein files. She stated, “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.” Despite her commitment to combating sex crimes, her position has affected her political standing.
The endorsement has bolstered Evette’s position as a frontrunner. Trump praised Evette, calling her a “good friend, fighter, and WINNER.” Meanwhile, Mace maintains that Trump’s endorsement has not significantly impacted polling, hinting at ongoing tensions within the GOP over the Epstein files.
The bipartisan push for transparency regarding Epstein’s case records exposed divisions in the GOP. Despite Trump’s signing of the Epstein Files Transparency Act, some criticized the slow and incomplete disclosures, sparking disagreements within the party.
Critics within Trump’s party, including Representative Thomas Massie, voiced their dissatisfaction when disclosures were slower than expected. Massie’s push for a House vote to release the files, bypassing GOP leadership, drew ire from the White House. Massie lost his reelection bid after Trump backed another candidate, underscoring the political costs of opposing Trump.
Nancy Mace is one of the few Republicans who supported Massie’s discharge petition. Although she hasn’t faced Trump’s public criticism to the same extent as Massie, she believes her support for transparency influenced Trump’s endorsement decision in her race. Mace declared, “If the price of an endorsement was to not vote to release the Epstein files, that is a price I am unwilling to pay.”
Former Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene, once a fervent Trump supporter, became more critical of his administration over the Epstein files. Her criticism and involvement in the discharge petition eventually led to her resignation, as Trump publicly disparaged her in response.
Representative Lauren Boebert, another signer of the discharge petition, endured threats of a primary challenge from Trump. Despite this, Boebert remains unopposed in her primary. She continues her support for Trump while advocating for transparency on Epstein’s files, navigating the tricky political terrain within her party.