A House Democrat finds herself in the crosshairs of Republican ire over startling revelations of communication with a notorious figure during a high-profile congressional hearing.
According to Fox News, Del. Stacey Plaskett, D-V.I., the nonvoting delegate from the Virgin Islands, is facing a censure resolution from Rep. Ralph Norman, R-S.C., after newly released documents revealed she exchanged texts with Jeffrey Epstein during a 2019 hearing involving Michael Cohen.
This isn't just a minor scandal; it raises serious questions about judgment and accountability among those entrusted with oversight roles in Congress.
The texts, part of a larger release of documents from Epstein's estate to the House Oversight Committee, show the late financier seemingly guiding Plaskett's approach during the Cohen hearing, which focused on allegations against then-President Donald Trump.
One message from Epstein read, "Hes opened the door to questions re who are the other henchmen at trump org," to which Plaskett replied, "Yup. Very aware and waiting my turn."
While some might argue this was mere banter, the optics of a sitting lawmaker engaging with a convicted felon during a formal proceeding are nothing short of disastrous for public trust.
Rep. Norman introduced his censure resolution on Tuesday, leveraging a privileged mechanism to force a House floor vote within days, signaling GOP determination to address this matter swiftly.
House Freedom Caucus Chairman Andy Harris, R-Md., didn't mince words, stating, "I think she needs to be censured by the House and removed from the [House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence] for colluding with a convicted felon during a congressional hearing."
Harris's point cuts to the core: if lawmakers are cozying up to figures like Epstein while probing others for misconduct, what does that say about the integrity of our institutions?
House Democrats, often vocal about transparency in cases involving Epstein's ties to powerful figures, have been conspicuously quiet on Plaskett's situation since the texts surfaced.
Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., sidestepped the issue at a Monday press conference, noting, "I have not had a conversation with Stacey Plaskett," and pointing to her own statement as sufficient.
This dodge hardly reassures anyone; when the shoe is on the other foot, Democrats demand answers, yet here they seem content to let the matter fade into the background.
Plaskett's office issued a response to The Washington Post, claiming she "received texts from staff, constituents and the public at large offering advice, support and in some cases partisan vitriol, including from Epstein."
They further asserted her commitment to combating sexual assault and trafficking, expressing disgust at Epstein's actions and support for his victims. Yet, this explanation feels thin when weighed against the specificity of her exchange with him during a critical hearing.
The public deserves more than platitudes; engaging with someone of Epstein's ilk, even casually, demands a fuller accounting of intent and context. As this resolution moves to a vote, with a failed Democrat-led attempt to bury it in committee by a razor-thin 213 to 214 margin, the stakes for accountability couldn't be higher.
