Hakeem Jeffries Can’t Stop Repeating Himself When Reporter Presses Him On House Democrat’s Texts With Epstein

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries appears unwilling to answer questions about Democratic U.S. Virgin Islands Del. Stacey Plaskett’s communications with Jeffrey Epstein despite repeatedly calling for complete transparency regarding the late convicted sex predator.

Reporters grilled Jeffries over Plaskett’s 2019 texts with Epstein, and the top House Democrat repeatedly refused chances to condemn his caucus member’s interactions with the pedophile at a Wednesday press conference. Jeffries, in response to the questioning, has repeatedly fallen back on his and Plaskett’s statements from the House floor Tuesday night, right before the vote to censure her failed.

“I expressed my position on the floor yesterday. My statement speaks for itself,” Jeffries told CNN’s Manu Raju when asked why he was okay with a Democrat interacting with Epstein. Jeffries then pivoted to the defeated censure resolution — which aimed to kick Plaskett off the House Intelligence Committee — calling it a “dramatic overreach.” When Raju attempted to ask a follow up question about Plaskett’s actions, Jeffries replied, “If you’re going to ask a question, you have to let me answer.”

“Stacey Plaskett has made clear her position as it related to Jeffrey Epstein, repeatedly, and her words speak for itself,” the lead House Democrat added.

Plaskett said in her floor remarks that Epstein was a constituent of hers and it was unknown at the time that Epstein was under federal investigation. The texts, however, occurred 11 years after Epstein pled guilty to soliciting prostitution with a minor, solidifying his status as a convicted sex offender.