Transparency.

It’s the favorite word of every candidate running for office – a glittering promise to "drain the swamp" and expose the hidden dealings that lie beneath. Republicans had a clear chance to honor such a commitment and shine a light on the vile affairs of the wealthy and powerful.

Instead, the Trump administration and most Republicans in Congress did something baffling: They dragged their feet, called it a fake and then moved only when a bipartisan group of legislators forced the issue.

It’s hard to imagine a greater political opportunity than releasing the full, unredacted Jeffrey Epstein files. The late financier was an unscrupulous magnet for the world’s most powerful. The task from President Donald Trump’s base was simple: Release the names, prosecute the guilty and prove that the government, when properly led, won’t protect the rich and connected.

Instead, we got months of resistance, bizarre denials and attempts to frame the issue as a "Democrat hoax," while most Republicans were perfectly fine ridiculing U.S. Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Kentucky, for insisting on full transparency........

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