Democrat Virgin Islands Del. Stacey Plaskett is attempting to explain away newly uncovered messages showing she exchanged real-time texts with Jeffrey Epstein during an anti-Trump 2019 congressional hearing.
During the hearing, Plaskett was even taking Epstein’s direction on how to question a witness attacking President Donald Trump, as Slay News first reported.
Her defense came the same day the House rejected a conservative push to censure her and remove her from the powerful House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence.
Plaskett argued Tuesday that Epstein was simply a local constituent at the time and that she did not know he was under renewed federal investigation.
“I got a text from Jeffrey Epstein, who at the time was my constituent,” Plaskett said.
“[It] was not public knowledge at that time that he was under federal investigation, and … was sharing information with me.”
The texts tell a different story, however.
During Michael Cohen’s February 2019 testimony, Epstein actively coached Plaskett.
He instructed her to go after President Trump’s former executive assistant, prompting Plaskett to respond that she didn’t recognize the name and was “up next.”
After she used the name exactly as he instructed, Epstein immediately messaged her: “Good work.”
Journalist Michael Shellenberger summarized the exchange:
“New Epstein files show [Stacey Plaskett] got real-time help via text messages from Jeffrey Epstein on how to hurt Trump during 2019 congressional hearing with former Trump attorney.”
Despite the bombshell revelations, a House Freedom Caucus–backed resolution to censure Plaskett and remove her from the Intelligence Committee failed Tuesday night.
The measure would have stripped her of access to classified briefings overseen by the committee.
Three Republicans sided with Democrats to kill the effort, while three others voted “present.”
The resolution ultimately failed in a 209–214 vote.
The failed censure followed a blistering warning from Rep. Ralph Norman (R-SC), who introduced the measure, stating:
“Delegate Plaskett’s willingness to receive instructions on official congressional proceedings from Epstein, a convicted felony sex offender with deeply concerning international associations, is especially alarming and inappropriate given her own past service in the U.S. Department of Justice and her current role on the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence.”
Norman added:
“Jeffrey Epstein was a predator who exploited minors.
“The idea that any Member of Congress would coordinate with him on official proceedings is beyond comprehension.”
“This was not casual contact,” he continued.
“These were deliberate communications that shaped part of a hearing designed to attack President Trump.
“It raises serious questions about judgment, integrity, and fitness to serve.”
The controversy is unlikely to fade quickly.
Epstein’s influence on Democrat lawmakers is continuing to emerge, and Plaskett’s explanation is drawing more questions than answers.
Meanwhile, Republicans say the American people still deserve to know why a sitting member of Congress was taking cues from one of the most notorious sex offenders in modern history.
READ MORE – Larry Summers in Hiding as New Epstein Scandal Emerges
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