Thomas Massie is one of the two best U.S. House Representatives of my lifetime. Were I a voter in KY-4 during this recent primary, I would have voted for him early and often. I would have persuaded my parents to vote for him (and they’re both deceased). I have agreed with Massie on absolutely every contentious issue he’s taken a stand on, except one.

The “Epstein Files.”

I realize this renders the vast majority of those whom I consider political allies apoplectic. I would ask all reading to bear with me. Make no mistake, I would still vote for Massie despite this one disagreement, but it is an important one not only for him but the entire “liberty movement” or whatever we’re calling it these days.

The fixation with Epstein has become so pervasive among anti-establishment groups of all kinds – libertarian, America First conservatives, some left-wing groups, etc. – that it has become fashionable to refer to the people previously called “the elites” or “the globalists” as “the Epstein class.” 

There is no denying this has been effective. The targets clearly don’t like it, and it provides coalition building between groups that may not have much else in common. That Massie was able to partner with Ro Khanna on this issue may remind Ron Paul libertarians of Paul’s coalitions with Dennis Kucinich against unconstitutional wars of aggression. But this coalition is fundamentally different, for several reasons.

First, the overall theory isn’t true. As rapacious as the so-called globalists may be economically, it is probably not true that sexual crimes against girls under the age of consent is rampant or was so when Epstein was alive. If it were true, then proponents of this theory would be able to present clear cut individual cases which should be prosecuted but haven’t been.

Repeatedly, I have challenged my fellow libertarians to produce a solitary case against someone where the evidence of guilt is clear and but for reluctance to prosecute the perpetrator would be sitting in jail. I have yet to be presented with a single such case. 

And no, Prince Andrew is not an example. He was thoroughly investigated and prosecution was not possible due to lack of evidence.

The second reason this coalition is different is its basis in Marxist-feminist reasoning. The invitation by the left to “believe all women” necessitates destroying due process, a fundamental pillar of liberty itself. Libertarians were willing to defend Bush ally Brett Kavanaugh on these grounds when just such an accusation was made, despite having no love for Kavanaugh.

That Massie has bragged about the people whose careers have been destroyed based purely on an accusation with no due process is startling to this Massie supporter. Is this not the “cancel culture” we fought so hard against during the Obama and Biden years? No, I won’t be losing sleep that a member of the World Economic Forum lost his job but surely we can see this is not a legitimate power to wield, can’t we?