Also in the spotlight is Stacey Plaskett, the non-voting Democratic delegate from the U.S. Virgin Islands. Now, new documents have ignited a firestorm of controversy surrounding her. These documents show that Jeffrey Epstein was texting with a sitting member of Congress. We’ve seen this in a 2019 House hearing with intrepid witness Michael Cohen. An analysis determined Plaskett as the person who had interacted with Epstein at that time.
At the time of the hearing, Plaskett was already a historic figure as she became the first ever non-voting delegate to serve as an impeachment manager during Donald Trump’s Senate trial in 2021. She pressed Cohen on the relatives of Trump that he had previously victimized. She pressed for more information, asking Cohen if there were “other people that we should be meeting with?”
In a striking moment captured on live television, Plaskett was seen chewing just moments before a message from Epstein was sent, asking “Are you chewing?” This relatively simple interaction has garnered a lot of attention. The placement of the messages may very well determine her overall questioning game plan.
According to multiple reports, Plaskett’s fierce line of questioning was influenced by the letter exchange with Epstein. At one point, she urged Cohen to “quickly give us as many names as you can so we can get to them,” suggesting an urgency in her inquiry that coincided with Epstein’s texts.
Plaskett’s office did not immediately return multiple requests for comment on these startling new disclosures. Epstein’s texts during the hearing raised a lot of questions about what they might contain. This widespread speculation begs the question of just how it might affect congressional proceedings.
Cohen’s testimony shone a light on important players linked to Trump. He pointed out Allen Weisselberg, the chief financial officer of The Trump Organization, and Rhona Graff, a former executive assistant whose office is literally next door to Trump’s.
“So Allen Weisselberg is the chief financial officer in The Trump Organization,” – Michael Cohen
“Rhona Graff is the – Mr Trump’s executive assistant … She was – her office is directly next to his, and she’s involved in a lot that went on,” – Michael Cohen
The aftermath surrounding these documents brings forth important ethical and transparency concerns regarding the purpose of congressional hearings. As the investigation goes on, the full implications of Epstein’s participation in these highest-level discussions are yet to be realized.