House Oversight Republicans Accused of Gutting Epstein Investigation with Roundtables

House Oversight Republicans, led by Chair James Comer, are facing sharp criticism from Democrats over a controversial shift in the Epstein investigation. The GOP’s move to replace traditional committee hearings with informal roundtables has drawn accusations of undermining transparency and accountability.

In a congressional memo shared among Democratic lawmakers last week, Republicans were accused of “running scared” and deliberately avoiding structured hearings to block bipartisan subpoena motions. The memo, obtained by multiple outlets, highlights several key concerns:

• Roundtables lack formal rules, including the ability to issue subpoenas or force votes on transparency measures.
• Witnesses are not required to testify under oath, creating a loophole for potential false statements without legal consequence.
• The format mimics regular committee hearings but strips away critical investigative tools, effectively “voiding the investigation of any value”.

The memo states:

“In a development with little precedent in modern Congressional history, Oversight Republicans have suspended the use of traditional committee hearings in favor of” the roundtables. “Oversight Republicans are avoiding hearings to block bipartisan subpoena motions they are losing. This shift doesn’t just affect Committee procedure—it limits Congress’s ability to uncover the truth and hold powerful actors accountable.”

Democrats argue that the shift is a deliberate attempt to “avoid scrutiny” and curtail subpoena power for both parties. For months, lawmakers on both sides of the aisle have used hearings to push for subpoenas targeting high-profile figures linked to Jeffrey Epstein’s network.

Among those named in the recently unsealed Epstein case files are:

• Les Wexner, co-founder of Bath & Body Works, Inc.
• Leon Black, American financier and investor
• Prince Andrew, the disgraced British royal
• Donald Trump, mentioned over 38,000 times in the files

Trump’s extensive mentions in the documents include allegations from victims and witnesses. In one instance, he was accused of attempting to force a girl aged 13–15 to perform oral sex before striking her for biting his penis. The files flagged Trump in more than 5,300 documents.

Critics argue that the roundtable format, while less formal, risks shielding key figures from rigorous scrutiny. The shift has intensified partisan tensions over how—or whether—the Epstein investigation will proceed.