GOP threatens to censor Plaskett over Epstein texts

Conservatives are targeting a member of the House Democratic caucus over her alleged ties to Jeffrey Epstein.

Rep. Ralph Norman, R-S.C., introduced a resolution Tuesday to censure Del. Stacey Plaskett, DV.I., non-voting delegate from the Virgin Islands to the House of Representatives.

Newly released documents show that Plaskett exchanged texts with Epstein during a congressional hearing with Michael Cohen, a former associate of President Donald Trump, in February 2019.

Norman spoke on the House floor Tuesday afternoon in an effort to force a vote on his bill through a mechanism called a privileged resolution.

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Democratic Rep. Stacey Plaskett, right, faces threats of censorship after it was discovered she texted Jeffrey Epstein during a 2019 congressional hearing. (Getty Images)

House Republican leaders will be required to introduce the bill within two legislative days, meaning it will likely be considered this week.

A Democratic-led motion to quash the nomination by sending it to the House Ethics Committee failed this week by a narrow vote of 213-214.

Only two Republicans voted with all Democrats in this effort: Reps. Lance Gooden, R-Texas, and Dave Joyce, R-Ohio.

House Freedom Caucus Chairman Andy Harris, R-Md., announced the resolution in comments to reporters earlier Tuesday.

“I think she needs to be censured by the House and removed from the (House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence) for colluding with a convicted felon in a congressional hearing. That doesn’t reflect well on the House of Representatives,” Harris said.

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Republicans have seized on Plaskett’s messages with Epstein as evidence of Democrats’ double standards in the case of the late pedophile financier.

House Democrats have advocated for transparency in working to uncover any potential inappropriate ties between Trump and Epstein, but have remained largely silent on Plaskett in the days since her ties to him emerged.

Freedom Caucus Chairman Rep. Andy Harris speaks to reporters as he walks into the House chamber at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, July 2, 2025. (Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., dodged questions about Plaskett after his news conference Monday, telling reporters he had not spoken to him.

“I haven’t had a conversation with Stacey Plaskett. In fact, I think Stacey Plaskett released a statement on this and her statement speaks for itself,” he said.

Texts exchanged during the 2019 hearing, in which Cohen accused Trump of a scheme to pay mistresses to hide evidence of extramarital affairs during his 2016 presidential bid, show that Epstein took a keen interest in Plaskett’s questioning.

Epstein sometimes seemed to guide Plaskett’s questions. One text showed him saying: “He opened the door to questions about who the other henchmen of Trump org are.”

Plaskett replied: “Yeah. Very aware and waiting my turn.”

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The texts are part of a trove of documents sent to the House Oversight Committee by Epstein’s estate.

His office said in a statement to Washington Post regarding the texts, she “received texts from staff, constituents and the general public offering advice, support and, in some cases, partisan vitriol, including from Epstein.”

“As a former prosecutor, she welcomes information that helps her uncover the truth and has taken on the Republican Party for trying to bury the truth. The congresswoman has previously made clear her long history of fighting sexual assault and human trafficking, her disgust at Epstein’s deviant behavior, and her support for his victims,” ​​Plaskett’s office said.

Fox News Digital has reached out to Plaskett for comment on Harris’ threat.