Rep. Jasmine Crockett Issues Blunt Challenge to Trump Over Epstein Investigation

Progressive Democratic lawmaker Rep. Jasmine Crockett of Texas issued a stark warning to former President Donald Trump following convicted Epstein accomplice Ghislaine Maxwell’s recent closed-door deposition before the House Oversight Committee.

“We’re gonna be on his a–,” Crockett told reporters Monday after Maxwell’s testimony concluded. “We have a 34-count convicted felon, and there are people that are still shielding him from any type of accountability as it relates to a child sex-trafficking ring.”

Maxwell invoked her Fifth Amendment rights during the deposition, avoiding substantive answers to lawmakers’ questions. The hearing is part of a broader congressional investigation into convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein’s network of associates and potential connections to high-profile figures.

Crockett emphasized what she characterized as a partisan double standard in how Republican lawmakers have approached the investigation. She pointed to the treatment of former President Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, who were initially threatened with contempt proceedings when they refused to appear in person on Capitol Hill.

“Right now we know that they were willing to try to throw the Clintons in prison for not showing up,” Crockett said. “For the Democrats, this isn’t partisanship. This is about right versus wrong.”

The Clintons’ legal team recently agreed to testify after House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer, R-Ky., initiated contempt proceedings against them. Their attorneys wrote to Comer confirming they would comply with his terms just days before the full House was scheduled to vote on referring them to the Department of Justice for criminal charges.

However, a public dispute has since emerged regarding the format of their testimonies. The Clintons are now demanding televised hearings rather than the closed-door, videotaped depositions currently scheduled.

When asked about this disagreement, Crockett criticized what she perceives as Republican tactics, saying, “What they want to do is they want to go behind closed doors and then come out with whatever spin that they want to put on it and have it be a he said, she said.”

She added, “They are playing games right now. And again, this is all about shielding and distracting from the president of the United States, who is absolutely mentioned in those files.”

The congressional investigation has gained renewed attention following the release of documents related to Epstein by both the committee and the Department of Justice. While both Trump’s and Clinton’s names appear in these files, it’s important to note that neither has been implicated in any wrongdoing connected to Epstein’s crimes.

The investigation continues to highlight the politically charged nature of congressional oversight, with both parties accusing each other of using the Epstein case for political gain. Democrats like Crockett argue Republicans are selectively focusing on the Clintons while shielding Trump, while Republicans maintain they are pursuing accountability regardless of political affiliation.

This confrontation comes at a politically sensitive time for Crockett, who is currently mounting what analysts describe as a challenging campaign for the Senate seat held by Republican Sen. John Cornyn of Texas.

The Maxwell deposition represents the latest chapter in the ongoing effort to uncover the full extent of Epstein’s criminal activities and network. Epstein, who died in jail in 2019 while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges, maintained relationships with numerous powerful individuals across business and politics, making the investigation particularly sensitive for figures on both sides of the political aisle.

As the House Oversight Committee continues its work, the political sparring over methodology and focus seems likely to intensify, with Democrats pushing for Trump’s testimony and Republicans maintaining pressure on the Clintons.