Tara Palmeri, a credentialed independent reporter, says she and three Epstein survivors were escorted from the Republican National Convention after she questioned candidate Robert Burke about unreleased Epstein investigation files. Burke engaged with the survivors, said accountability is needed "no matter who they are," and supported a new Epstein Files Transparency Act and additional hearings. The Justice Department has released about 3 million of an estimated 6 million pages. Palmeri published a detailed account on her Substack and says the group was removed roughly 35 minutes after entering the arena.
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Independent journalist Tara Palmeri says she and four credentialed guests — her producer and three people who identify as survivors of Jeffrey Epstein’s abuse — were escorted out of the Republican National Convention in Dallas after Palmeri pressed a House candidate about the still-unreleased Epstein documents.
Palmeri obtained press credentials and entered the event with valid access for her party. She recorded the encounter and later detailed the confrontation on her Substack, saying the group was removed roughly 35 minutes after arriving at the arena.
The exchange began about three minutes after they entered the venue when Palmeri questioned Robert Burke, a Republican running in the suburbs outside Boston, about his views on Epstein’s crimes and why many investigation records remain sealed.
"That's a great topic," Burke replied after learning Palmeri was surrounded by survivors. "Because we really need to know what actually happened."
Burke invited the survivors to ask questions. One survivor asked whether he would hold anyone involved in Epstein’s crimes accountable regardless of party.
"I don't care who they are, unlawful touching is unlawful touching. Consent is consent," Burke said. He also added, unprompted, that a friend of his had represented both Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell but declined to name the person.
Palmeri then redirected the conversation to the unreleased materials, noting that the Justice Department has disclosed about three million pages from the investigation while officials estimate the probe produced more than six million pages — suggesting roughly half the documents remain sealed despite a congressional order to release them.
Burke frequently shifted the topic to President Joe Biden during the exchange. When Palmeri pressed on who controls the Department of Justice, Burke said "Trump does," though he added he disagreed with the premise of the question. He reiterated he would hold anyone involved accountable "no matter who they are," and said he would back a new iteration of the Epstein Files Transparency Act and support additional hearings.
The interview lasted roughly eight minutes. According to Palmeri, security confronted the group immediately afterward, alleging they were carrying signs and protesting. Palmeri told the officer she was accredited press and that the group had been admitted with credentials. By 2:40 p.m., the party had been escorted out of the arena — about 35 minutes after arrival.
Palmeri's recorded account and subsequent Substack post are the primary public record of the interaction; event security and campaign representatives did not provide immediate public statements in Palmeri's post. The incident raises questions about credentialed press access and the treatment of survivors attending political events to press candidates on accountability and transparency.
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