Tennessee Republican Sen. Marsha Blackburn demanded Friday that the Senate Judiciary Committee investigate Jeffrey Epstein’s alleged sex-trafficking network by subpoenaing unredacted flight logs from his private jets and reports from the U.S. Virgin Islands.
The flight logs could contain evidence of Epstein’s associates and the destinations of any trips taken by Epstein and his associates. Blackburn said the Judiciary committee should make the unredacted logs one of its “first acts” of business.
The senators’ demand coincides with their call for a revolt of the Justice Department to press for a thorough investigation of the matter. Blackburn and other Republicans have accused the department of failing to properly investigate Epstein’s activity.
“It’s clear that the United States Department of Justice has failed to fully investigate Jeffrey Epstein’s activities, and we need to ensure that justice is served to the full extent of the law,” Blackburn said in a statement. “It’s time for the Senate Judiciary Committee to act by making the subpoenaing of unredacted flight logs one of its first acts.”
At minimum, the senator believes, the committee should use its subpoena authority to obtain all available flight manifests and records from the Federal Aviation Administration and the USVI-FAA. Doing so would give accurate records that could provide a greater context and lead to more victims being identified.
Blackburn also believes the committee should obtain records from the USVI and other relevant jurisdictions, to provide a better picture of the situation and to help bring justice to those who may have been victimized by Epstein.
“This matter deserves the utmost attention from lawmakers, and I urge our Democratic colleagues to work to hold those who may have enabled Epstein accountable,” Blackburn said. “I am confident that the Judiciary Committee, working with our colleagues and other authorities, can help extract the truth and seek justice for Epstein’s victims.”
