Reporters recently got an opportunity to ask Rep. Ro Khanna (D-CA) if he believed that House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries should give back any and all funds he received from deceased billionaire human trafficker Jeffrey Epstein after reports emerged that he solicited donations from the pedophile back in 2013, leading to an explosion from the Democrat congressman.
For some background, the Epstein files are once again a huge hot-button topic right now due to a recent push by many Democrats and Republicans to have the documents released in full to the public. A bill demanding the files be released by the Justice Department passed the House by a vote of 427-1.
The legislation has also been approved by the Senate, and will be signed into law by President Trump, as he said he is perfectly fine signing it since Republicans have nothing to hide. It is expected by many in MAGA that there will be a number of Democrats on the list of potential clients if that information is truly contained in the files.
In any case, that renewal in interest led Rep. Khanna being pressed on Hakeem Jeffries’s ties to Epstein. “Any comment on Hakeem Jeffries’ campaign soliciting money from Jeffrey Epstein himself back in 2013?” a reporter asked the California Democrat. Khanna said this was the first he was hearing about Jeffries taking donations from Epstein. “Comer said it on the floor,” the reporter added.
“Well, I don’t know if it’s true,” Khanna replied. “You’re just saying it. But obviously, anyone who took money from him should return the money. Donate the money.” The reporter then followed up by asking if Khanna thought Jeffries should step down from his position as House Minority Leader over the Epstein scandal.
The Democrat replied that this was the first he was hearing of the situation, but he does think that those who took money from Epstein should return or donate it. He said, “I have to look at what you’re saying. It’s the first I’m hearing about it. But he should certainly return the money or donate the money. And it’s honestly the first time I’m hearing about it.” Watch the incident here:
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On Tuesday, House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer (R-KY) stated that Jeffries campaign “solicited money from Jeffrey Epstein,” according to a report from the New York Post. Comer, who is heading up the oversight panel’s probe into Epstein, cited information contained in an email from 2013 sent by a political consulting firm inviting the deceased pedophile to a Democratic Party dinner so he could “get to know” Jeffries.
“Democrat fundraisers invited Epstein to attend an event, or meet privately with Hakeem Jeffries as part of their 2013 effort to win a majority,” Comer went on to say from the House floor. “So, Hakeem Jeffries’ campaign solicited money from Jeffrey Epstein,” he added. “That’s what we found in the last document batch.”
The subject line in the message said, “Rising Star” and was sent on May 7, 2013, by Lisa Rossi, a partner with a New York City-based consulting firm. It was addressed to Epstein. It was also forwarded to the convicted human trafficker’s former executive assistant, Lesley Groff.
“Dear Jeffrey,” the message read. “We are thrilled to announce that we are working with Congressman Hakeem Jeffries, one of the rising stars in the New York Congressional delegation. Sometimes referred to as ‘Brooklyn’s Barack’, he is a staunch supporter of President Obama and a progressive voice for the people of New York City.”
A video was included in the email, along with an article praising Jeffries’ work during his first year in Congress. “Hakeem is committed to electing a Democratic majority in 2014 and is encouraging his friends to participate in the DCCC/DSCC fundraising dinner with President Obama this coming Monday night,” the email added.
“Shoot us an email or give us a call at [the firm’s phone number] if you would like to get involved with the dinner, or would like to get an opportunity to get to know Hakeem better,” the email went on to say. The invitation to get to know Jeffries was sent to the disgraced billionaire five years after he pleaded guilty to charges of solicitation of prostitution and solicitation of prostitution with a minor in Florida in 2008.
Featured image credit: screengrab from the embedded video