There is increasing demand from lawmakers for Congress to subpoena the flight logs of convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, in efforts to uncover potential accomplices in his sex trafficking operations.
Republican Rep. Tim Burchett of Tennessee has joined forces with Senator Marsha Blackburn, also of Tennessee, in calling for these records. In a recent letter addressed to the House Oversight Committee, Burchett stressed the urgency of resolving lingering questions about Epstein’s activities, including the involvement of “America’s most powerful and well-known people.”
“The American people have a right to know who took part in Epstein’s disgusting business that ruined so many lives,” Burchett stated. “More importantly, their victims deserve justice and accountability.”
Burchett also criticized Senate Democrats for allegedly thwarting Blackburn’s earlier attempts to subpoena the flight logs. He accused the Democrats of “stonewalling” these efforts, adding, “This shouldn’t be a partisan issue, but Senate Democrats completely disrespected my friend Marsha’s attempts to find out who participated in Epstein’s disgusting business so we can hold them accountable.”
In November, Blackburn made an initial move to subpoena these records during a hearing, a motion which was not successful. She attributed this failure to the committee chair, Senator Dick Durbin, a Democrat from Illinois. Blackburn expressed her disappointment on social media, questioning, “What are Democrats trying to hide?”
A Democratic aide on the committee countered that Durbin was prepared to facilitate the debate and voting on the subpoena, but alleged filibustering by several Republican members prevented Blackburn from presenting her amendment.
Epstein’s aircraft, often referred to in the media as “The Lolita Express,” is believed to have transported underage girls to various locations, including his private island. High-profile individuals, including former Presidents Bill Clinton and Donald Trump, Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., actors Kevin Spacey and Chris Tucker, Prince Andrew, and businessman Bill Gates, have reportedly been passengers on the plane, though there is no current evidence to suggest any involvement in criminal activities by these individuals.
Epstein was found dead in his jail cell in August 2019, with his death ruled as a suicide. He had previously pleaded not guilty to sex trafficking charges in a New York court and had a prior guilty plea in Florida related to soliciting a minor for prostitution.
