House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer, a Kentucky Republican, announced a new step in the ongoing congressional review of the Jeffrey Epstein investigation, revealing that a subpoena has been issued for Epstein’s estate.
Why It Matters
Epstein, a convicted sex offender and financier, died by suicide in a New York City jail in 2019 while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges. His death left many questions unanswered and fueled continued calls for transparency regarding the investigations.
The latest move comes as lawmakers continue reviewing materials the Justice Department provided in response to an earlier subpoena for records tied to Epstein’s case. Last week, federal and local authorities turned over thousands of pages of documents.
What To Know
In a post on X, Comer said:
“I have issued a subpoena to the Epstein estate for documents & communications in its possession, custody, or control in unredacted form. Alexander Acosta, former U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, will appear for a transcribed interview on September 19.”
He also linked to the Oversight Committee’s post outlining the subpoena, Acosta’s upcoming testimony, and his request for formal written declarations from former Attorneys General Alberto Gonzales, Eric Holder, and Jeff Sessions. Comer noted that these declarations, issued under penalty of prosecution for false statements, would confirm whether they have any knowledge of the Epstein or Maxwell cases.
Previously, the Oversight Committee subpoenaed the Justice Department for Epstein-related records. After the August 19 deadline, the DOJ began sending over tens of thousands of pages. Committee Democrats argued much of the material duplicated records already available to the public.
What People Are Saying
Republican Congressman Thomas Massie of Kentucky wrote on X:
“Three decades of coverups, failures, and payoffs. Read this timeline and consider the magnitude of relevant evidence that hasn’t been released. Our bill to release the Epstein files can bring justice, transparency, & closure. Ask your congressman to sign the discharge petition.”
Democratic Congressman Robert Garcia of California posted on Monday:
“We reviewed 33,000 pages of documents related to the Epstein files – 97% of them were already public. It’s clear the White House cover-up continues. Pam Bondi could release the full Epstein files today, but she refuses to do so. What are they hiding?”
What Happens Next
It remains unclear what additional materials the estate subpoena might produce. The scope of those records, the committee’s review timeline, and any legal challenges tied to disclosure are still to be determined.
