This was announced by Democratic members of the House Oversight Committee. new photos Jeffrey Epstein’s emails and computer records, including images highlighting President Donald Trump’s relationship with the convicted sex offender.
Epstein, a wealthy investor, was convicted of recruiting children for prostitution and sex trafficking and served a 13-month prison sentence in 2008. At the time of his death in prison under mysterious circumstances, he was charged with sex trafficking and conspiracy to traffick minors.
Among the people pictured in Epstein’s digital files are Trump, former President Bill Clinton, Trump adviser Steve Bannon, actor and director Woody Allen, economist Larry Summers, lawyer Alan Dershowitz, entrepreneurs Richard Branson and Bill Gates, and Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor.
One photo shows Trump with Epstein and a woman at a Victoria’s Secret party in New York in 1997. American media published the image, and Getty Images identified the woman as model Ingrid Seinhave.
Democrats on the oversight committee are reviewing the entire set of photos and plan to release additional images to the public in the coming days and weeks, highlighting efforts to protect the identities of survivors.
With one week left until the Justice Department releases all files related to Epstein following the passage of the Epstein File Transparency Act, which requires the Justice Department to release most records related to the Epstein investigation, the Washington Blade spoke with Rep. Robert Garcia (D-Calif.), ranking member of the Oversight Committee, to discuss the current push to release more documents.
Mr. Garcia emphasized the Commission’s commitment to transparency and accountability.
“We said we’re going to publish everything we get. We don’t care who’s in the file…If you harm women and girls, we’re going to hold you accountable.”
He noted that questions persist about the relationship between Trump and Epstein, given their long history and the apparent rupture of their friendship since Trump entered public office.
“…There were a lot of questions about Donald Trump and Jeffrey Epstein. They were best friends for 10 years…where they met women and girls.”
Before Trump took office, it was widely reported that the two were friends who regularly visited each other’s properties. Additional reports indicate they frequently interacted in the 1990s and early 2000s, attending parties at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida and at Epstein’s mansion. Flight records from his colleague’s trial show that Trump flew on Epstein’s private jet multiple times, and Epstein claimed that Trump first had sex with his future wife, Melania Knauss, on the jet.
“We have submitted evidence… [that leads to] The question is about what the relationship was between Donald Trump and Jeffrey Epstein. ”
Garcia questioned the sudden change in attitude toward releasing the files in light of President Trump’s campaign promises and stressed the need for answers regarding the White House’s role in withholding information.
“Why is the White House trying to cover this up? So if he’s not covering it up for himself… he’s covering it up for his wealthy friends,” Garcia said. “Why are we hiding it? Who are we hiding it for? I think that’s the question.”
He acknowledged that President Trump is definitely included in the Epstein file, but the scope is still unclear but will be revealed soon.
“We know that Trump is among them. Yeah, he’s been told. We know that Trump is among them in some way. To what extent… we don’t know.”
Mr. Garcia emphasized accountability for all powerful people involved, regardless of economic status, political party or personal connections.
“All of these powerful men walking around right now must be held accountable after abusing girls, in some cases as young as 14 and 15 years old,” he said. “There must be justice for these survivors, and the American people have a right to know the truth about who was involved.”
He added that while he is a ranking member, he will ensure that the oversight committee uses all available political tools, including subpoenas, and in some cases against the president.
“We want to summon everyone we can… it’s like everyone is on the table.”
He also emphasized accountability for all powerful people involved, regardless of their economic status, political party or relationship with the president.
“To me, they are about justice and doing the right thing,” Garcia said. “This is about women who were… girls and children who were abused, trafficked and in some cases raped. And these women deserve justice.”
“Those who survive are strong.”
White House deputy press secretary Abigail Jackson issued a statement regarding the release of the photo, reiterating previous comments by Republicans about the timing and composition of the photo by the oversight committee.
“Once again, House Democrats are selectively releasing hand-picked, randomly edited photos to create a false narrative,” Jackson said.
“Democratic misinformation against President Trump has been debunked time and time again, and the Trump administration has done more for Epstein’s victims than Democrats ever have before by repeatedly calling for transparency, releasing thousands of pages of documents, and calling for further investigations into Epstein’s Democratic friends.”
in a press release On Friday, Garcia called for immediate action from the Justice Department.
“It’s time to end the White House cover-up and bring justice to the survivors of Jeffrey Epstein and his powerful friends. These disturbing photos raise even more questions about Epstein’s relationships with some of the most powerful people in the world. We will not rest until the American people know the truth. The Department of Justice must release all files now.”
(Photo courtesy of the U.S. House Oversight Committee)
Source: Washington Blade: LGBTQ News, Politics, LGBTQ Rights, Gay News – www.washingtonblade.com
