Rep. Jasmine Crockett (D-TX), a member of the progressive group known as “The Squad,” recently sparked controversy when she accused EPA head Lee Zeldin of receiving campaign donations from Jeffrey Epstein. However, Crockett’s claim missed the mark. The donation in question came from a Dr. Jeffrey Epstein, a New York physician with no connection to the convicted sex offender of the same name.
The mix-up unfolded during a debate over a resolution to censure Stacey Plaskett, the delegate from the U.S. Virgin Islands. Plaskett faced criticism for her past interactions with the convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, including text messages showing a friendly exchange as she prepared to question former Trump attorney Michael Cohen during a House Oversight hearing.
In response to Crockett’s accusation, Zeldin took to social media to clarify the facts. He confirmed that he did receive a campaign contribution from a Jeffrey Epstein, but stressed it was a completely different person. “No freakin relation, you genius!” he wrote, pointing to Federal Elections Commission records as proof.
The House Freedom Caucus pushed the censure against Plaskett, aiming to remove her from the House Democratic Caucus and the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence. This committee is important as it oversees agencies like the FBI and CIA and handles classified information related to national security. The censure motion ultimately failed, with Democrats unanimously opposing it and some Republicans voting against or abstaining.
Supporters of the censure, such as Rep. Ralph Norman (R-SC), argued that Plaskett’s communications with Epstein were alarming and raised questions about her judgment. On the other hand, Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-MD) defended Plaskett, saying the censure was politically motivated and pointed out Epstein had ties to the Virgin Islands, making him a constituent of Plaskett’s.
The released documents showing Epstein texting Plaskett revealed a cordial and friendly relationship, causing a stir given Epstein’s criminal history. Despite this, the political fallout appeared limited as efforts to formally reprimand Plaskett did not gain enough support.
The saga highlights how easily information can be misinterpreted in heated political moments and stresses the importance of checking facts before making serious accusations. Meanwhile, Zeldin’s quick response helped clear his name from any wrongdoing related to the Epstein scandal.
