A group of conservative lawmakers is introducing a resolution that would remove Democratic non-voting delegate Stacey Plaskett from the House Intelligence Committee, citing resurfaced messages she exchanged with the late convicted sex predator Jeffrey Epstein during a 2019 congressional hearing.
Plaskett, who represents the U.S. Virgin Islands in Congress, appeared to collaborate with Epstein about how to damage President Donald Trump’s reputation — during a hearing in which the president’s former lawyer-turned-foe Michael Cohen was testifying against his former boss. The measure would also formally censure Plaskett for “colluding” with Epstein during the February 2019 hearing and directs the House Ethics Committee to investigate the matter, according to a copy of the resolution shared with the Daily Caller News Foundation.
The censure measure stripping Plaskett of her committee assignment is expected to receive a floor vote this week. Republicans defeated a motion from Democratic leadership to table the resolution during a vote of 214-213 Tuesday afternoon.
GOP lawmakers have excoriated Plaskett for professing to care about Epstein survivors despite warmly corresponding with the convicted sex offender. They have also argued that Plaskett does not have the right judgement to continue serving on the Intelligence Committee, which oversees the country’s intelligence agencies and regularly handles classified information.
“Some will try to spin this as politics but protecting the honor of this body is not partisan,” Republican South Carolina Rep. Ralph Norman, the resolution’s sponsor, said on the House floor. “It’s not Democrat. It’s not Republican. Standing against a convicted predator’s influence in our proceedings is not partisan, it’s basic decency.”
The text messages between Plaskett and Epstein, first reported by The Washington Post, were a part of a massive document dump from Epstein’s estate released by the House Oversight Committee Wednesday. Though the conspiring lawmaker’s name was redacted, the outlet confirmed Plaskett exchanged messages with Epstein during the hearing.
Cohen testified before the House Oversight Committee against Trump for allegedly sending hush money payments to quash extramarital affairs, a claim Trump has consistently denied.
Epstein appeared to help craft the questions Plaskett posed to Cohen, according to the resolution and resurfaced text messages.
“[D]elegate Plaskett was actively coached by Epstein during the hearing, received instructions on specific lines of questioning, and was congratulated with the message ‘Good work,’” the resolution states in part.
In one exchange, Epstein discussed former Trump aide, Rhona Graff, saying “Cohen brought up RONA – keeper of the secrets” while misspelling the woman’s name.
“RONA??” Plaskett responded. “Quick I’m up next is that an acronym.”
Epstein clarified, “Thats [sic] his assistant.”
In another back-and-forth, Epstein told Plaskett, presumably referring to Cohen, “Hes [sic] opened the door to questions re who are the other henchmen at trump org.”
Plaskett then replied, “Yup. Very aware and waiting my turn.”
House Democratic leadership is expected to whip their members against the censure resolution.
“We’re not new to the duplicity of Andy Harris,” Pete Aguilar told reporters Thursday. Democrats have argued that Republicans are seeking to politicize the Epstein files after previously not supporting their full release.
A spokesperson for Plaskett did not immediately respond to the DCNF’s request for comment.
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