In a recent development concerning the investigation into Jeffrey Epstein, House Oversight Chairman James Comer, a Republican, has dismissed calls for a professional handwriting expert to analyze the signature on a letter allegedly sent by President Donald Trump for Epstein's 50th birthday book. When questioned on this issue, Comer firmly stated, “I don’t,” indicating his lack of support for an independent analysis.
On the previous day, the White House had expressed its willingness to endorse a review by a qualified handwriting expert. In his first substantial remarks regarding the letter since it was made public by House Oversight Democrats, Trump denied the authenticity of the signature and the accompanying note. “It's not my signature. And it's not the way I speak. And anybody that's covered me for a long time knows that's not my language,” Trump told ABC News on Tuesday evening. He further characterized the situation as “nonsense.”
During a press conference on Wednesday, Comer emphasized that the birthday letter is irrelevant to the broader investigation into Epstein. His remarks came as committee investigators shifted their focus to meticulously examining financial records from the Epstein estate in New York. “Honestly, when you look at what's the purpose of this investigation, it's to try to provide justice to the victims and try to get the truth about what went on on Epstein Island,” Comer explained. He questioned the significance of a birthday card from two decades ago, stating, “I don't think a birthday card 20 years ago has any relevance whatsoever.”
When further pressed about the implications of the letter even if it was indeed signed by Trump, Comer reiterated his position. He stated, “If there's a birthday card from Bill Clinton or Donald Trump, I don't think that has an ounce of impact on this investigation or on the overall objective of providing justice for the victims.”
Comer revealed that House Oversight Committee staff were in New York on Wednesday, diligently seeking Epstein's financial records. This part of the investigation aims to trace the flow of money, exploring whether Epstein utilized LLCs or shell companies while also attempting to track banks and bank accounts associated with him. Sources informed ABC News that these efforts would continue on Thursday.
In discussions with victims and their attorneys, Comer noted that one area they expressed a desire for further investigation was the bank records. He also stated that the committee is prepared to disclose any illegal activities uncovered during the investigation but cautioned that mere association with the convicted sex offender does not imply guilt. “We want to make sure when we release names or names of people that have pretty definitive liability,” Comer remarked.
Meanwhile, Democrats on Capitol Hill are pushing for greater transparency from Republicans and the Trump administration concerning the Epstein files. On Wednesday, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer attempted to initiate a Senate vote on an amendment aimed at compelling the Department of Justice to release the Epstein files ahead of a critical vote on the extensive defense spending bill. “The bottom line is the American people need to see this. Donald Trump has lied about this. There was no picture, there was no drawing, there have been so many lies, so much prevarication, so much cover-up,” Schumer asserted. He urged his colleagues to support the amendment, emphasizing that “Democrats, independents, and Republicans are demanding it be made public.”
In a related statement, Democratic Representative Robert Garcia, the leading Democrat on the House Oversight Committee, took to social media platform X to affirm the legitimacy of the note, stating, “The note is real. It’s not a hoax. And we are not stopping until we get the truth.”
