Republican Senator Changes Stance on Epstein Files

Cynthia Lummis now believes the files were "worth investigating" after previously dismissing the issue.

Published on Feb. 10, 2026

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Wyoming Senator Cynthia Lummis has changed her stance on the significance of files associated with the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Lummis previously did not see "the big deal" with the Epstein files, but now says she believes they were "worth investigating" after learning more about the case, including the involvement of "nine-year-old victims."

Why it matters

The Epstein case has been a source of controversy and calls for transparency, with over 3 million pages of documents related to Epstein recently released by the Justice Department. Lummis' change of stance reflects a growing recognition among some Republican lawmakers of the importance of fully investigating the Epstein case and its implications.

The details

In an interview with reporter Pablo Manriquez, Lummis said that while she had previously "deferred to others" on the Epstein issue and did not see "the big deal," she now understands why members of Congress have been "pushing this" and believes the files were "worth investigating." Lummis specifically cited the involvement of "nine-year-old victims" as a factor in her changed perspective.

  • The Epstein Files Transparency Act, signed by President Donald Trump, led to the release of over 3 million pages of documents related to Jeffrey Epstein in November 2025.
  • Lummis made her comments about the Epstein files in an interview with reporter Pablo Manriquez on Monday, February 10, 2026.

The players

Cynthia Lummis

A Republican Senator from Wyoming who has changed her stance on the significance of files associated with the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

Jeffrey Epstein

A convicted sex offender who died in a New York jail in 2019 while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges.

Donald Trump

The former President of the United States who signed the Epstein Files Transparency Act in November 2025, leading to the release of over 3 million pages of documents related to Jeffrey Epstein.

Pablo Manriquez

The reporter who interviewed Senator Cynthia Lummis about her changed stance on the Epstein files.

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What they’re saying

“I've not been one of the members who has glommed on to this as an issue. I've sort of intentionally deferred to others to find out about it. But nine-year-old victims—”

— Cynthia Lummis, Senator (Newsweek)

“Well, initially, my reaction to all this was, 'I don't care. I don't know what the big deal is.' But now I see what the big deal is, and it was worth investigating. And the members of Congress that have been pushing this were not wrong. So that's really my only reaction.”

— Cynthia Lummis, Senator (Newsweek)

What’s next

This is a developing story and will be updated as more information becomes available.

The takeaway

Lummis' change of stance on the Epstein files reflects a growing recognition among some Republican lawmakers of the importance of fully investigating the Epstein case and its implications, particularly in light of the involvement of minors. This shift in perspective could lead to increased bipartisan support for transparency and accountability surrounding the Epstein scandal.