The Epstein Files
Rep. Nancy Mace’s push to release the Jeffrey Epstein files, from signing the discharge petition in fall 2025 through her Senate and Oversight Committee actions, her clash with AG Pam Bondi, and the loss of the Trump endorsement that ended her 2026 SC governor bid. Every statement below is verbatim from a confirmed public source and linked to its dispatch.
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These are public statements, press releases, and congressional actions not legal findings. Third parties Mace called to testify or named in her demands (including Bill Gates and the Clintons) face no Epstein wrongdoing finding of any kind; those references record her demands and questions only. Where characterizations are attributed to news outlets, the framing belongs to the outlet. Pam Bondi’s position as Attorney General ended when Trump fired her on April 2, 2026; the DOJ’s handling of the files remains disputed and ongoing.
Signing the Discharge Petition (Fall 2025)
After Trump pressed the GOP signers to back down from the discharge petition filed by Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY) in September 2025, Mace publicly confirmed she had signed it, one of four Republicans to do so.
“I signed the discharge petition. I was one of four Republicans to do so.”
“I stand with all survivors. When it seems like the world is against you. When the press hates your guts. When your friends desert you. Your pain is my pain.”
Trump responded (attributed by Newsweek): “Only a very bad, or stupid, Republican would fall into that trap.”
The House Floor: 427-1 (Nov. 18, 2025)
The House passed the Epstein Files Transparency Act 427-1. Mace spoke on the floor before the vote.
“Today is a historic day for every survivor across the country.”
“Real men protect women. President Trump understands justice delayed is justice denied, and he’s not afraid to stand with survivors when we need it most.”
Demanding Bill Gates Testify (Feb. 4, 2026)
Mace announced a demand that Bill Gates testify before the House Oversight Committee under oath about his relationship with Epstein. Gates has not been accused of wrongdoing in connection with Epstein; this records Mace’s demand for testimony.
“One of the richest men in the world doesn’t get to dodge questions about Epstein.”
Reviewing the Unredacted Files at DOJ (Feb. 11, 2026)
After reviewing unredacted Epstein files at the Department of Justice, Mace delivered remarks warning those whose names remained redacted.
“The days of cover-up are over. I want the princes, the former presidents, the billionaires to know: your days are numbered.”
“I have more names today than I had yesterday. A lot of the information and documents related to co-conspirators were redacted or couldn’t be found in the database. That’s deeply concerning.”
“The American people deserve every page. Every name. And every truth the government is holding onto.”
“It’s Creepy”: DOJ Tracking Which Files Congress Opens (Feb. 11, 2026)
On the same day as the DOJ review, Mace said the department was monitoring congressional access to the files.
“It’s creepy. I’m pretty tech savvy. I’ve played around with the system. They’re tracking every file that we open, and when we open it. They’re tracking everything.”
Demanding Answers on Files Pulled from DOJ’s Site (Feb. 12, 2026)
“My greatest concern is that nothing is going to happen from this. You can’t have thousands of victims and only one accomplice.”
“This Isn’t Going Away Until People Go to Jail” (Feb. 15, 2026)
“Despite the memo released by DOJ last night, not all the Epstein files have been released. And the excuses provided for not releasing all the files will not hold up in a court of law. This isn’t going away until people go to jail.”
“So poorly managed, heads should roll. And what they did to the victims. SHAME ON THE DOJ.”
Demanding the Unredacted SDNY Co-Conspirator Memo (Feb. 16, 2026)
“Victims deserve justice, and the American people deserve the truth.”
Pressing the CIA on Any Relationship with Epstein (Feb. 17, 2026)
Mace sent a letter to CIA Director John Ratcliffe citing a 2015 Epstein email referencing a “cia drop” and a 2011 FOIA “Glomar” non-response. This records Mace’s records demand; no relationship between the CIA and Epstein has been established.
“Congress needs to know what, if any, relationship the CIA had with Jeffrey Epstein and what information they’re sitting on.”
“Terabytes of Data” Being Withheld (Feb. 24, 2026)
“I’ll be the first one to tell you, the DOJ hasn’t released all the files. We’re talking about terabytes of data. I think millions of more files.”
“This is much bigger than a prostitution and sex trafficking ring.”
The Clinton Depositions (Feb. 26, Mar. 2, 2026)
Hillary Clinton was deposed February 26, 2026 (~4h35m); Bill Clinton the following day. Both had been subpoenaed August 5, 2025, held in bipartisan contempt after refusing, then agreed to testify. The GOP-led Oversight Committee released video of both depositions on March 2.
The flashpoint was Mace’s questioning about Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick (former Cantor Fitzgerald CEO), whom Mace alleged had emailed Epstein about a Clinton fundraising event. Clinton tied Lutnick to September 11, Cantor Fitzgerald lost roughly 650 employees that day, and, when Mace said “I know that,” slammed the table:
Clinton: “You asked the question, I’m going to answer your question!”
Clinton: “I was trying to take care of the people who lost three thousand lives at the World Trade Center!”
Mace acknowledged on the record she did not possess emails showing Clinton personally solicited Epstein. At another point Mace said: “I’m a survivor trying to look out for other survivors.” Clinton replied: “And I was trying to take care of the people who lost three thousand lives at the World Trade Center!”
After the deposition Mace described Clinton as “screaming. Unhinged and combative every time we brought up Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell” and said she hoped “President Clinton is less unhinged today than his wife was yesterday.” Democratic Rep. Robert Garcia called that a “mischaracterization” and demanded the unedited video. Clinton spokesman Nick Merrill said Clinton was appalled Mace “wouldn’t let her answer a question about her work as a senator after the murder of 3,000 Americans on 9/11.”
Coverage split sharply. The Daily Beast headlined its story “Hillary Clinton Destroys Nancy Mace and Lauren Boebert in Table-Slamming Epstein Appearance” (attributed framing). Newsweek reported the depositions “fall flat for Republicans” and were “political theater.” Fox News, framing the story around Mace’s account, reported Clinton had “erupted.” PBS NewsHour noted Republicans “also asked about UFOs and Pizzagate.” Rep. Lauren Boebert asked Clinton about the debunked Pizzagate conspiracy; Clinton: “Pizzagate was totally made up… I can’t believe you’re even referencing it.” Boebert also photographed the closed proceeding and shared it with commentator Benny Johnson, briefly pausing the session.
Neither Hillary Clinton nor Bill Clinton has been accused of wrongdoing in connection with Epstein. Both deny any knowledge of his crimes. “Destroys,” “unhinged,” and “erupted” are attributed characterizations from named outlets and speakers, not Maceopedia’s own description.
Full dispatch → · The Daily Beast · Newsweek · Fox News · PBS NewsHour · CNN
“Greatest Cover-Up”: Oversight Subpoenas Bondi 24-19 (Mar. 4, 2026)
“The Jeffrey Epstein case will go down as one of the greatest cover-ups in American history.”
“If the DOJ is not going to do their job, I will do their job for them.”
“We want to know where all the audio and video footage is from ALL of the pinhole cameras at every Epstein property. What about the ‘Lolita Express’? Where is the footage?”
Second Subpoena: The Congressional Sexual-Harassment “Slush Fund” (Mar. 4, 2026)
“Today, the members who voted for our subpoenas chose transparency over secrecy and accountability over cover-ups. We will not stay silent while the American people are kept in the dark. Not on the Epstein files. Not on the taxpayer-funded settlements members of Congress used to hide their own misconduct.”
The full House later voted 357-65 to refer that subpoena back to the Ethics Committee, effectively killing it.
Bondi Fired: “She Has Stonewalled Every Effort” (Apr. 2, 2026)
“Bondi handled the Epstein Files in a terrible manner and seriously undermined President Trump. She has stonewalled every effort to hold the guilty accountable.”
Commending Melania Trump for Advocating for Survivors (Apr. 9, 2026)
Mace publicly commended First Lady Melania Trump for advocating for Epstein survivors, notable as Mace continued to align with parts of Trump-world even while fighting the DOJ over the files.
“NO REGRETS”: Trump Endorses Evette Over Mace (May 29, 2026)
“I voted to release the Epstein files. NO REGRETS.”
“I know I put the likelihood of an endorsement on the line when I demanded transparency on the Epstein files… If sacrificing my values is the price of an endorsement, I will never pay it.”
On CNN: “A Price I Am Unwilling to Pay” (Jun. 7, 2026)
“If the price of an endorsement was to not vote to release the Epstein files, that is a price I am unwilling to pay.”
Fifth Place: “Lost Some Support for That” (Jun. 9, 2026)
Mace finished fifth with approximately 12.1% of the vote in the South Carolina GOP gubernatorial primary.
“I voted to release the Epstein files and lost some support for that. As a survivor, I chose to stand on principle and stand against the Epstein cover-up.”
“I chose to expose DEI judges. I chose to expose the abusers of children.”
“That’s not a political opinion. That’s a moral emergency.”
To Politico: “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.”
Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY), who also paid a price for signing the petition: “Boebert, Greene and Mace have paid an enormous price for doing the right thing.”