House Democrats probe whether Jeffrey Epstein acted as foreign agent

House Democrats Investigate Whether Epstein Was a Foreign Agent

Convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein may have been acting as a foreign agent for multiple countries, and House Democrats are launching an investigation.

Representative Jamie Raskin sent a letter to acting Attorney General Todd Blanche, Director of National Intelligence nominee Jay Clayton, and Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Monday, requesting records from the Trump administration on Epstein's international ties.

"Our examination of available evidence has already revealed damning indications of Mr. Epstein's activities on behalf of foreign states," Raskin wrote, pointing to public evidence of the billionaire's ties to Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Russia, and Israel.

In addition, Epstein "repeatedly capitalized on his long-term friendship with President Donald Trump to sign up business from these and other foreign governments and actors in the aftermath of President Trump's first election, without ever registering as a foreign agent under the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA)," Raskin added. "By advocating and facilitating on behalf of foreign countries without filing the mandatory disclosures, Mr. Epstein almost certainly violated FARA. His actions also create serious questions about the extent to which he wielded his ties to President Trump in dealings with foreign governments."

The Department of Justice has still not released 2.5 million files related to Epstein. Raskin, the ranking member of the House Judiciary Committee, believes some of those files concern Epstein's foreign dealings. He also asked the DOJ to respond in writing as to whether Epstein was ever investigated for being a foreign agent.

"Jeffrey Epstein never registered as a foreign agent. Yet numerous recently released documents now show he acted aggressively on behalf of multiple foreign governments, including several with interests adverse to the United States, in order to influence policies of the first Trump Administration," the letter states.

Trump's Justice Department has faced criticism from both Republicans and Democrats over its handling of the Epstein files — from its selective redactions to its barely meeting with Epstein's victims. Investigating Epstein's foreign ties could reveal further damning decisions from administration officials.

Related: Epstein Victims Slam "Demoralizing" Meeting With Todd Blanche

FBI Director Kash Patel Faces Backlash Over Planned Russia Trip

FBI Director Kash Patel has come under fire from all sides for his upcoming trip to Russia in October.

Patel will likely be hosted by the FSB, the Russian security service that succeeded the Soviet Union's KGB, Politico reported Monday. Democrats and Republicans alike expressed shock at the news.

"Kash Patel, the man who spent years peddling conspiracy theories to protect Trump from Russia investigation fallout, is now planning to personally fly to Russia and cozy up with the very security apparatus his own agency is supposed to be defending America against," Occupy Democrats wrote on X. "No sitting FBI director has visited Moscow since Robert Mueller, back in 2013, before he went on to lead the very investigation into Trump-Russia collusion that Patel has spent years dismissing as a 'hoax.' Let that sink in."

"Our FBI Director, who was an unregistered lobbyist for Qatar, is heading to Russia as the White House prepares to impose more sanctions on Russia, which is supplying Iran with weapons to murder U.S. soldiers," far-right activist and close Trump ally Laura Loomer said. "Nothing to see here."

"On the same day Trump imposes a 50% tariff on Canada, Kash Patel announces he's traveling to Russia," Democratic Representative Andy Kim said. "Trump continues to destroy our reputation abroad by treating enemies like friends and friends like enemies."

Patel's short tenure as FBI director has been marked by controversy, including a reported drinking problem, temper tantrums, and private jet flights with his young girlfriend.