Raskin slammed for ‘sick’ defense after revelation of Plaskett Epstein texts stalls censure effort
Rep. Jamie Raskin is under fire after defending Del. Stacey Plaskett for exchanging texts with Jeffrey Epstein during a 2019 House Oversight hearing; critics called his explanation “sick,” and a Republican censure effort ultimately failed.
Key takeaways
- Newly released documents show Del. Stacey Plaskett exchanged texts with Jeffrey Epstein during the 2019 House Oversight hearing.
- Raskin defended Plaskett on the House floor by calling Epstein a constituent, drawing sharp criticism that his remarks minimized the issue.
- A Republican-led censure motion failed after three House Republicans joined Democrats to block the resolution.
- Calls grow for an Ethics review amid reporting about earlier ties between Plaskett and Epstein’s network.
Main content
Background and key information
New documents from the Jeffrey Epstein archive reportedly show that Del. Stacey Plaskett exchanged text messages with Jeffrey Epstein during a 2019 House Oversight Committee hearing that included testimony from Michael Cohen. Reporting on these documents has been published by Fox News and Notus.
Raskin’s floor defense and reaction
On the House floor, Rep. Jamie Raskin said Del. Stacey Plaskett was “taking a phone call from her constituent,” noting Epstein had a U.S. Virgin Islands address and arguing the incident should be handled through the House Ethics process rather than by a partisan censure. Watch Raskin’s remarks in Raskin’s House-floor remarks (video) and review coverage by Fox News (video).
Republican criticism and media response
Republicans, led by Rep. Ralph Norman (R‑S.C.), argued the texts showed “inappropriate coordination” with a convicted sex offender and said Raskin’s framing downplayed Epstein’s criminal history. Conservative commentators and parts of the White House Rapid Response apparatus called the defense a “cover‑up” and accused House Democrats of shielding a colleague. Journalists and critics used blunt language—labeling the defense “dishonest” and “sick”—in coverage from Fox News and Notus.
What the texts allegedly show
Reporting says messages include Plaskett seeking Epstein’s input about what questions to ask Michael Cohen during the hearing and exchanges about Plaskett’s clothing choices that day. Critics stress the texts’ timing—sent while Cohen was testifying publicly—and argue that asking a convicted sex offender for advice crosses lines of judgment and ethics.
Plaskett’s response and context
Del. Stacey Plaskett has defended her actions, saying she did not know Epstein was under federal investigation at the time and that interacting with a constituent was not unusual for a delegate representing the U.S. Virgin Islands. Her supporters emphasize there have been no criminal charges or formal Ethics Committee findings tied to these texts to date.
Earlier links between Plaskett and Epstein cited by reporters
Investigative reporting (including work by Lee Fang cited in summaries) points to past professional and political ties: alleged involvement in tax-incentive matters in the Virgin Islands, legal work connected to entities in Epstein’s orbit, and past donations or filings that critics say deserve further review. See coverage in Fox News and reporting summaries at Notus.
Calls for a formal Ethics review
Some lawmakers and watchdogs urged the House Ethics Committee to open an inquiry. Raskin himself said alleged misconduct should be vetted by the Ethics Committee rather than handled via an immediate censure vote on the floor.
Failed censure vote and politics behind it
The censure resolution, led by Rep. Ralph Norman, failed after three House Republicans joined Democrats to block the motion. Observers said the outcome reflected partisan divisions over whether to use censure as a rapid disciplinary tool versus following procedural ethics channels. Reporting on the vote and aftermath appears in Notus and Axios.
Broader fallout from the Epstein document releases
The Plaskett texts emerged amid a wider release of thousands of documents tied to Jeffrey Epstein, prompting renewed scrutiny of figures across politics, finance and law. The releases have generated news stories, congressional attention, and multiple calls for investigations.
Implications for The World
Global trust in institutions: The episode may deepen doubts about whether elites are held to consistent ethical standards.
Diplomatic optics: Public fights over censure and ethics can affect how allies view U.S. governance.
Rule-of-law questions: International audiences expect transparent, rule-based inquiries rather than partisan punishment.
Election and party politics: Ethics issues can be weaponized in election cycles, feeding perceptions of hyper-partisanship.
Practical effects for oversight: The case may prompt legislatures to revisit rules on outside contacts during hearings.
Notable reactions and quotes
Critics: “sick” and “dishonest” — used by journalists and commentators to describe Raskin’s defense and its perceived minimization of Epstein’s crimes.
