Democrat Lawmaker Pledges Continued Pressure on Trump Administration Over Epstein Scandal
California Democratic Representative Ro Khanna has vowed to maintain pressure on President Donald Trump's administration regarding the Jeffrey Epstein scandal. This commitment comes as investigators begin searching the New Mexico ranch that once belonged to the late convicted sex offender.
Personal Commitment to Justice for Survivors
Speaking on MS NOW with Lawrence O'Donnell, Congressman Khanna emphasized that his dedication to the Epstein survivors remains steadfast despite recent global developments. "It continues because it's personal," Khanna declared. "These survivors have sat in my office, they've sat in Thomas Massie's office... They were abused, they were raped, and they want justice."
The lawmaker, who serves on the House Oversight Committee, stressed that the released Department of Justice files confirm the seriousness of the allegations. "The half of the files that are out proves to the country that what we were talking about was not a hoax," Khanna stated. He further alleged that "the worst stuff is still in these files, the names of some of these people, which have been scrubbed by Donald Trump's FBI."
New Mexico Investigation Commences
Khanna's comments coincide with New Mexico prosecutors confirming that a search is underway at Epstein's former Zorro Ranch property south of Santa Fe. This location was regularly used by Epstein for entertainment purposes and is alleged to have been a site of sexual abuse.
State Attorney General Raul Torrez's office announced the investigation, noting it was initiated after prosecutors determined that "revelations outlined in the previously sealed FBI files warrant further examination." The search is being conducted with the cooperation of the current property owners, who have renamed the estate the San Rafael Ranch.
Ongoing Controversy Over File Releases
The controversy surrounding the Epstein files has intensified since their release under the Epstein Files Transparency Act. Survivors and their advocates have criticized the handling of the documents, noting that victims' names often appear unredacted while wealthy associates of Epstein remain concealed.
Sara Guerrero, spokesperson for Democrats on the Oversight Committee, condemned what she called an "ongoing" White House cover-up. "Millions of pages still remain concealed from the public and our committee," Guerrero stated in a recent declaration.
Subpoena of Attorney General
Khanna highlighted the importance of subpoenaing Attorney General Pam Bondi to address the Department of Justice's handling of the Epstein files. He suggested this would prevent Bondi from repeating what he described as her previous "insult comic" performance before Congress.
The congressman urged both media and public to maintain interest in the story, emphasizing that justice for survivors remains paramount despite other national concerns.
Victim Advocacy and State Initiatives
Among those expressing frustration with the file releases is the family of Virginia Giuffre, a late Epstein victim and campaigner. Giuffre's brother, Sky Roberts, appealed for full disclosure, asserting that "all those names are in the files and right now the government is covering those up."
Amanda Roberts, Giuffre's sister-in-law, praised New Mexico for establishing a bipartisan "truth commission" to investigate state connections to Epstein. "New Mexico is setting the example and we expect other states to follow behind," she remarked.
Property Background and Political Connections
The 26,700 square foot hilltop mansion in Santa Fe County was acquired in 2023 by Don Huffines, a businessman and self-described "MAGA Trump Republican" running for Texas comptroller. The property's current ownership adds another layer to the complex political dimensions of the Epstein investigation.
Prosecutors have pledged to "continue to keep the public appropriately informed, support the survivors, and follow the facts wherever they lead" as the New Mexico investigation progresses.
