Rep. Melanie Stansbury: “The U.S. Government Is Engaged In An Active Cover-Up Of The Largest Sex-Trafficking And Influence-Peddling Scandal In History”
New Mexico Democrat Rep. Melanie Stansbury said Monday about the Epstein files:
REPRESENTATIVE MELANIE STANSBURY, U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES: Now, there are at least nine or ten other countries across the world that have opened investigations or forced their leaders to step down because of their association with Jeffrey Epstein. The United States government is engaged in an active cover-up of the largest sex trafficking scandal and influence-peddling scandal in the history of the United States, and Donald Trump is at the center of it. The person who is living to provide the evidence – who knows what is going on – is trying to invoke the Fifth to purchase clemency. Let’s be clear about what we saw here today. This was an effort to essentially try to secure her pardon by keeping her mouth shut. We will not allow this silence to stand. It was announced late last week that the Department of Justice would allow members of Congress to view the unredacted files of those released. Many of us are heading to the Department of Justice today to look at the memos and internal documents that were removed from the website, to understand why names of survivors were unmasked, and why – and who – the Department of Justice is shielding, as they have redacted files that include perpetrators and co-conspirators. With that, we will stand for questions. REPORTER: Can you talk about if there was a conversatio around Howard Lutnick, for example. Comer said they didn’t want to disrupt the other depositions they have scheduled, but I don’t know how [inaudible] the other side. MELANIE STANSBURY: With regards to this deposition? REPORTER: With regard to a future deposition with Howard Lutnick or some of the others you’ve described? MELANIE STANSBURY: The committee is keeping an ongoing list of individuals that we would like to subpoena. It is really important for folks to understand that in order for us to subpoena anybody, the majority has to consent. While we appreciate that there is bipartisan cooperation in this case, we have a whole list of individuals we would like to subpoena before the committee that they have not consented to. Of course, we would like to speak to Secretary Lutnick. I personally believe that he needs to step down immediately. REPORTER: What is your message to survivors amidst this performance – performative silence – from Ghislaine Maxwell? MELANIE STANSBURY: We are here to bear witness, fight for justice, and fight for conviction.
