Ranking Members Robert Garcia and Summer Lee Statement After Forcing House GOP to Subpoena Epstein Files
Washington, D.C.— Today, Rep. Robert Garcia, Ranking Member of the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, and Rep. Summer L. Lee, Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Federal Law Enforcement, issued the following statement after Chairman James Comer issued a subpoena to the Department of Justice (DOJ) to release files relating to child sex trafficker and Trump’s longtime friend Jeffrey Epstein. This action was forced after Ranking Member Garcia strategically initiated a vote on the motion to subpoena the files during a subcommittee hearing in July. The motion was introduced by Rep. Summer L. Lee and was voted on 8-2, with three Republicans joining Oversight Democrats.
“Today was an important step forward in our fight for transparency regarding the Epstein files and our dedication to seeking justice for the victims. Now, we must continue putting pressure on the Department of Justice until we actually receive every document,” said Ranking Member Robert Garcia and Ranking Member Summer Lee. “While this subpoena is a critical milestone in our investigation and a win for the American people, we won’t stop demanding every piece of information our government has in a timely manner. We know that Ghislaine Maxwell can’t be taken at her word, so we need these files now in order to corroborate any claims she makes. It’s important to show folks that corruption and violations of our laws don’t go unchecked, regardless of your political party or how much wealth you have. This fight is not over.”
Ranking Member Garcia has led Oversight Democrats as they continue to uncover the truth about the Epstein files. Once the motion to subpoena the files passed in the Subcommittee on Federal Law Enforcement, Ranking Member Garcia quickly sent a letter to Chairman Comer, requesting Committee Republicans immediately subpoena the Department of Justice for the Epstein files and outlining a timeline of enforcement. That week, Ranking Member Garcia joined Rep. Ro Khanna to send a letter to the individuals who represent the estate of Jeffrey Epstein, requesting they hand over a complete copy of the “birthday book” after bombshell public reports allege that President Trump submitted a poem and drawing for the book.
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