Jeffries Rocked by New Docs Linking His Early Campaign to Epstein Invite
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries is under renewed scrutiny after Republicans released documents alleging that a political firm supporting his early congressional career once invited convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein to a Democratic fundraising event.
Newsweek has reached out to Jeffries’ office for comment.
Why It Matters
The newly surfaced records add to mounting questions about Epstein’s extensive political network and come on the same day Congress overwhelmingly voted to force the Department of Justice to release its Epstein files—a rare moment of bipartisan unity aimed at uncovering the full scope of his connections.
What the Documents Show
House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer released a 2013 email sent to Epstein promoting Jeffries as an emerging Democratic figure, referring to him as “Brooklyn’s Barack.” Comer argued that the message represented an effort to draw Epstein into donor circles despite his 2008 sex-offender conviction.
According to reporting from The Washington Times, Epstein had already been the subject of multiple lawsuits by 2013. The documents do not show that Jeffries met with Epstein, that Epstein donated money, or that he responded to the outreach.
Additional Revelations
Separate records from Epstein’s estate also revealed 2019 text exchanges between Epstein and U.S. House Delegate Stacey Plaskett during a high-profile House Oversight hearing involving Michael Cohen. The texts show Epstein offering unsolicited strategic advice as Plaskett prepared questions.
There is no evidence of wrongdoing by Plaskett, and her office said she received numerous messages from staff and constituents during the hearing. Plaskett previously returned campaign donations linked to Epstein following public criticism.
Reaction in Washington
Republican lawmakers seized on the disclosures:
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Rep. Lauren Boebert responded to the committee’s post on X simply with: “Oof!!”
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Rep. Andy Biggs questioned what else Jeffries might be “hiding,” citing both the 2013 email and Plaskett’s texts.
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Rep. Clay Higgins, the only “no” vote on the Epstein files bill, defended his position, warning that an overly broad release of investigative documents could “injure thousands of innocent people” named peripherally in case files.
Jeffries, for his part, publicly supported releasing the records, writing Tuesday: “The House will vote today to release the Jeffrey Epstein files. This is not a hoax.”
What Happens Next
With near-unanimous support in both chambers, Congress has passed legislation directing the DOJ to release all Epstein-related files within 30 days once enacted. The bill now moves to President Trump, who has indicated he intends to sign it.
Further Reading:
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New York Post – “Jeffrey Epstein was invited to Dem fundraising dinner and to ‘get to know’ Hakeem Jeffries by firm working with ‘Brooklyn’s Barack’”
https://nypost.com/2025/11/18/us-news/jeffrey-epstein-was-invited-to-dem-fundraising-dinner-and-to-get-to-know-hakeem-jeffries-by-firm-working-with-brooklyns-barack/ -
The Guardian – “Jeffrey Epstein’s emails reveal a disdain for morality among the elite”
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/nov/17/jeffrey-epstein-emails-elites -
House Oversight Committee press release – “House Oversight Committee Releases Jeffrey Epstein Email Correspondence, Raising Questions About White House Coverup of Epstein Files”
https://oversightdemocrats.house.gov/news/press-releases/house-oversight-committee-releases-jeffrey-epstein-email-correspondence-raising -
People – “Donald Trump Responds to Shocking Epstein Emails by Asking DOJ to Seek Evidence on Bill Clinton”
https://people.com/trump-asking-pam-bondi-investigate-epsteins-ties-to-bill-clinton-11849690
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