While many Democrats are pushing for the release of all available Jeffrey Epstein files, some, including Democratic Virgin Islands Del. Stacey Plaskett, probably want them to stay sealed.

According to the Daily Caller, newly released emails from Epstein's estate show that she was in communication with Epstein, who was reportedly making real-time comments that may have steered her questioning during a 2019 testimony hearing. 

Epstein reportedly closely followed former Trump attorney Michael Cohen’s February 2019 appearance during a House committee hearing, and was obviously influential enough to potentially shape some of Plaskett's questions,.

The revelation came from the release of a large batch of emails this month from the House Oversight Committee.

What's going on?

While her name is blacked out in the emails, The Washington Post lined up the transcript and other data with Plaskett's questioning that day, positively identifying her as the person Epstein was texting at the time.

She was one of the House members questioning Cohen during the high-profile testimony.

Rep. Plaskett was texting a convicted child sex predator, not as an attempt to help the victims but instead just looking for dirt on the president (they found none). This is a gross example of why the American people hate Congress. @StaceyPlaskett is an embarrassment to women… pic.twitter.com/U2nR68fhMP

— Rep. Anna Paulina Luna (@RepLuna) November 17, 2025

The Daily Caller noted:

In one exchange, Epstein wrote to Plaskett, presumably referring to Cohen, “Hes [sic] opened the door to questions re who are the other henchmen at trump org.”

Plaskett replied, “Yup. Very aware and waiting my turn.”

But it got worse, as reported by the outlet:

In another exchange, after Cohen mentioned longtime Trump aide Rhona Graff, Epstein alerted her, highlighting “Cohen brought up RONA – keeper of the secrets.”

Plaskett responded, “RONA?? Quick I’m up next is that an acronym. [sic]”

The ensuing exchange between Plaskett and Cohen was referencing what Epstein had just texted her.

Social media reaction

Users across social media had plenty to say about the revelation that Plaskett was texting with Epstein during the hearing.

"One must wonder how—and why—Epstein & this congresswoman got in touch with each other. And was Epstein contacting other Congress members too?" one X user wrote.

Another X user wrote, "Plaskett should have already been removed from all committees."

It'll be fascinating to see what else comes of the latest trove of Epstein emails.