House Democrats Express Frustration Over Epstein Files Messaging
Some House Democrats are signaling discontent regarding the party’s focus on messages related to Jeffrey Epstein’s files. They perceive the emphasis on this topic as detrimental, particularly concerning the approach to administrative documents.
House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries has placed Epstein at the forefront of his narrative during the August recess. However, a number of Democrats are showing signs of fatigue about this week’s campaign that has aligned them with Republicans on the issue.
“Honestly, it’s just nonsense,” one unnamed House Democrat remarked. This sentiment reflects a broader unease with the current Democratic strategy surrounding Epstein, as noted in a conversation with Axios.
These remarks come on the heels of Jeffries stating that House Democrats aren’t fixated on Epstein’s files until, presumably, Donald Trump is re-elected. He criticized Attorney General Pam Bondy for releasing records linked to Epstein while not doing so during Joe Biden’s presidency.
“The far-right conspiracy theorists are the ones pushing Epstein into the public eye,” Jeffries responded when questioned about the Democrats’ focus on this issue. He emphasized that it’s not a primary concern for the party.
Moreover, House Democrats have recently communicated requests urging their colleagues to concentrate on traditional economic and healthcare initiatives instead. There’s a growing anxiety among some party members about the messaging on issues like the Epstein files overshadowing more pressing policy discussions.
“We should really be prioritizing healthcare,” voiced Representative Tom Suozzi, one of many who believe the party should shift back to substantial policy issues rather than fixating on the Epstein matter.
Other Democrats, like Texas Representative Henry Cuellar, echoed similar sentiments, arguing for a focus on everyday costs instead of Epstein’s files.
This ongoing tension within the Democratic Party follows recent criticisms from Republicans, particularly Mike Johnson, who has highlighted the Democratic silence on Epstein during Biden’s presidency. Johnson accused Democrats of exploiting the issue for political gain now that Trump is back in the picture.
“We won’t let them use this for political cover,” Johnson insisted, pointing out that the Biden administration had possession of the Epstein files for years without addressing them.
