Representative Jamie Raskin defended Delegate Stacey Plaskett after Republicans moved to censure her over communications with Jeffrey Epstein during a 2019 hearing featuring Michael Cohen. Raskin argued Plaskett’s actions should be reviewed by the House Ethics Committee rather than punished in a rushed floor vote. He called the GOP effort a "rush to judgment," noting the House had just voted to release Epstein-related files in the interest of transparency. Raskin also warned against setting a precedent that anyone who took a call or text from Epstein must be censured.
Top Democrat Defends Stacey Plaskett, Calls GOP Censure Push a 'Rush to Judgment' Over Epstein Texts
Representative Jamie Raskin defended Delegate Stacey Plaskett after Republicans moved to censure her over communications with Jeffrey Epstein during a 2019 hearing featuring Michael Cohen. Raskin argued Plaskett’s actions should be reviewed by the House Ethics Committee rather than punished in a rushed floor vote. He called the GOP effort a "rush to judgment," noting the House had just voted to release Epstein-related files in the interest of transparency. Raskin also warned against setting a precedent that anyone who took a call or text from Epstein must be censured.
03:27 AM, 11/19/2025Politics
Raskin Urges Caution After Republicans Move to Censure Plaskett Over Epstein Contacts
Representative Jamie Raskin (D-Md.), the ranking member on the House Judiciary Committee, on Tuesday defended Delegate Stacey Plaskett (D-V.I.) after House Republicans moved to censure her and remove her from the House Intelligence Committee over communications with Jeffrey Epstein during a 2019 congressional hearing that featured Michael Cohen.
Republicans have pointed to text exchanges and other contacts between Plaskett and Epstein that took place during the hearing. Reports say Epstein, who had a prior conviction related to sex offenses, offered advice to Plaskett about how to question Cohen. Republicans argue the contacts amount to misconduct; Democrats say the matter deserves a proper review rather than a headline-driven punishment.
Raskin: “Our minority whip introduced a perfectly reasonable amendment to refer this to the Ethics Committee and hold a real hearing. They chose a rush to judgment instead — apparently to secure a headline. If you want her to explain what happened, let the Ethics Committee investigate. Where is the ethical or legal transgression?”
Raskin made his remarks shortly after the House voted to release files related to Epstein, saying that the vote reflected a broader demand for transparency and accountability. He argued the censure resolution appeared intended to generate political headlines rather than pursue a thorough, impartial inquiry, and warned against creating a precedent that anyone who took a call or text from Epstein should automatically be censured.
The exchange and portions of the debate were captured on video and broadcast by C-SPAN.
What’s next
Raskin urged that the matter be referred to the House Ethics Committee for a formal review, while Republicans pushed ahead with the censure effort on the House floor. The situation may evolve as more documents and testimony are released in the continuing public scrutiny around Epstein-related records.