Raskin Launches Probe Into Epstein’s Alleged Foreign Influence Schemes

In a letter to acting Attorney General Todd Blanche, intelligence nominee Jay Clayton, and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Raskin argued that Epstein’s clandestine activities represented a significant national security liability. The committee’s review of newly released records suggests the late financier aggressively advanced the interests of Saudi Arabia and Kuwait, while also advising Russian officials on navigating U.S. sanctions and political friction during the 2016 transition.

Documents highlight a November 2016 trip to Riyadh where Epstein met with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, subsequently offering to serve as a "financial confidant" to the Saudi government. Similar correspondence indicates Epstein coached Kuwaiti leadership on communicating with the Trump administration regarding the conflict in Yemen. Furthermore, Raskin pointed to long-standing ties with former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak, noting that Epstein facilitated backchannels between Barak and the Russian government to influence Middle Eastern policy during the Obama years.

Beyond these specific engagements, Raskin noted that Epstein appeared to advise former Trump strategist Steve Bannon on circumventing the Foreign Agents Registration Act. The congressman is now demanding the disclosure of all files related to Epstein’s foreign contacts, including records from the White House Situation Room, to determine the full extent of his efforts to manipulate U.S. policy.