Wednesday, February 25, 2026-In a striking display of bipartisan protest at the 2026 State of the Union, at least one House Republican broke ranks to stand with Democrats in drawing urgent national attention to unfinished business in the Jeffrey Epstein saga. Republican Rep. Nancy Mace of South Carolina wore a symbolic butterfly pin — a tribute from the brother of Epstein accuser Virginia Giuffre Roberts — to spotlight demands for accountability and transparency during President Trump’s address.
What made the moment notable was not just the symbolism, but the political fracture it reflected within nominally unified GOP ranks. Mace’s action followed coordination with other lawmakers, including a rare seating arrangement planned between Republican Rep. Thomas Massie and Democratic Rep. Ro Khanna — co‑authors of law aimed at forcing the complete release of Epstein‑related documents — to sit together in silent protest against what they see as stalled justice.
The protest unfolded amid an intensely divided political backdrop, with a wave of Epstein survivors invited by Democratic lawmakers to attend as guests and pressure the administration on full disclosure of files and prosecution of potential accomplices. The move quickly became a major talking point of the night — underscoring not only bipartisan frustration over transparency but also the ongoing political risk for both parties as the nation watches how justice and accountability play out on the public stage.
0 Comments