House Republicans move to censure Plaskett over text messages with Epstein

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Source: Washington Post

Rep. Ralph Norman (R-South Carolina), who introduced the resolution, said it was “beyond comprehension” that Plaskett would communicate with Epstein during a hearing.

House Republicans introduced a resolution Tuesday to censure and strip a key committee assignment from Del. Stacey Plaskett (D), the nonvoting delegate representing the U.S. Virgin Islands, for texting with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein during a 2019 congressional hearing, an exchange that was included in the recently released trove of documents from Epstein’s estate.

A Washington Post analysis of the texts, matched up with time-stamps from the hearing, showed that Epstein appeared to be watching in real time as Michael Cohen, President Donald Trump’s formal personal attorney and fixer, was testifying before the House Oversight Committee about Trump. According to the documents released, Epstein and Plaskett texted throughout the day, and their messages indicate Epstein may have influenced what questions to ask Cohen.

Rep. Ralph Norman (R-South Carolina), who introduced the resolution to censure Plaskett, said it was “beyond comprehension” that Plaskett would coordinate with Epstein on official proceedings. If passed, the resolution would direct the House Ethics Committee to investigate the extent of Plaskett’s relationship with Epstein and remove her from the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence.

“The American people expect honesty, the American people expect integrity and judgment from their elected officials. They expect members of Congress to conduct themselves with one word — decency — not to seek advice from a predator who exploited minor children,” Norman said on the House floor Tuesday.

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