Epstein Forums

Donald Trump is playing the distract and delay game again. It’s a game he frequently plays with success. Jeffrey Epstein, Trump’s relationship with him, and allegations that were made about Trump’s own sexual misconduct posed the most significant, sustained threat his presidency has seen. Then we went to war in Iran.

Epstein is no longer front page news. But he should be.

Earlier this week, Epstein survivors and advocates held a "shadow hearing" in West Palm Beach, Florida, in an effort to restore focus. The powerful testimony focused on the failure of the criminal justice system to protect the victims, even as it continues to protect the powerful people who abused them or were complicit in their abuse. The hearing was put on by Democratic members of the House Oversight Committee, even as Republican control prevents them from conducting the full oversight hearings on the matter they have tried to introduce.

Washington Democrat Emily Randall put in her best when she told Danielle Bensky, a survivor who has spoken publicly but testified she never expected the DOJ would release unredacted information about the specifics of the abuse she endured and the names of others who have not identified themselves, “you deserve an apology from your government.” Of course, that apology has not been forthcoming. Friend of Civil Discourse Katie Phang has been doing excellent coverage of the Epstein survivors’ efforts and has an interview with Danielle here.

But there has been some action in the House, though Republicans seem to move only when compelled to do so by public outrage. Yesterday brought the release of transcribed testimony from closed-door hearings involving two important figures. The first is Trump’s Commerce Secretary and longtime friend Howard Lutnick. The second is Ghislaine Maxwell’s ex-boyfriend, Ted Waitt. Their testimony is significant for entirely different reasons, and for what it tells us about the House Oversight Committee’s willingness to act as a backstop for the President here.