All posts tagged "james comer"

Comer blasts Epstein associate stonewalling on demands: ‘This is unacceptable'

House Oversight Committee lawmakers were furious Friday after they received only one non-disclosure agreement involving Leon Black, a former associate of Jeffrey Epstein, according to reports.

The committee had issued a subpoena for Black, the Apollo Global Management founder, demanding all NDAs Black allegedly has related to the late convicted sex offender and his co-conspirator Ghislaine Maxwell, Politico reported.

A spokesperson for Chair James Comer (R-KY) did not mince words — and signaled what would come next.

"Leon Black isn’t acting in good faith," the spokesperson said. "The Committee agreed to extend the deadline two weeks for full production of all NDAs and his attorney has deliberately chosen to only produce one. This is unacceptable and the Committee will follow up with his attorney."

Black's attorney, Susan Estrich, confirmed she turned over a single NDA, one struck between Black and Guzel Ganieva, a woman he was once romantically involved with. That relationship ended with Black paying Ganieva roughly $9.5 million. Estrich says Epstein, who died by suicide in 2019, knew about the agreement. Ganieva later sued Black over allegations of sexual misconduct and defamation, but a judge threw out the case in 2023.

"The responsive information includes the only confidentiality agreement that predated Epstein’s death and the only one of which Epstein was aware. Epstein was not involved with drafting this agreement," Estrich said in a statement. "This confidentiality agreement with Guzel Ganieva resolved her attempts to extort Mr. Black."

"The New York State Supreme Court dismissed Ms. Ganieva’s baseless lawsuit against Mr. Black with prejudice and that decision was affirmed by an appellate court," Estrich's said. "Ms. Ganieva expressly acknowledged that she never met Epstein."

But Congress was not just after one relationship's paper trail.

Comer has called the material tied to Epstein and Maxwell as "vital" to keeping the investigation moving, and issued the subpoena in the first place only after Black refused to answer questions about the agreements directly.

"We need the NDAs to be able to move forward with the investigation," Comer said.

Alarms sound as Trump family's ties to 'horrific' MAGA brothers revealed in probe demand

The Trump family's ties to MAGA influencers facing "horrific" charges were called out in a demand for a House oversight investigation.

Rep. Yassamin Ansari (D-AZ) wrote in a post on X that she had demanded the House Oversight Committee "swiftly open" an investigation into brothers Andrew and Tristan Tate and their "coordination and extensive relationships with members of the President's orbit, including his son, Barron Trump."

She made the demand in a letter that she sent to Rep. James Comer (R-KY) that she shared via her X post. In the letter, she urged, "The Committee must learn from Barron Trump about his knowledge of the Tate brothers' crimes, if he had any involvement whatsoever, and if he communicated with members of his father's administration or the President himself regarding their legal proceedings."

The pro-Trump Tate brothers were arrested in Miami, Florida, by the U.S. Marshals Service. Ansari noted in her letter that the two were "handed down 38 sex-related criminal charges in the United Kingdom, in addition to charges in Romania, but have yet to face extradition or face other penalties by the Trump administration."

The two have been "indicted on horrific charges of rape, human trafficking and the exploitation of minors," Ansari added in her post on X. The Tate brothers deny the charges, according to their attorneys.

"Most egregiously, investigative reports have detailed direct, extensive communications between Andrew Tate and Barron Trump, the President's son, as well as the Tate brothers' broader interactions with high-profile political figures within the President's personal circle," Ansari wrote in her letter.

In late 2025, reporting revealed that the Tate brothers were closer to Trump's inner circle than previously known, with Andrew Tate joining Barron Trump on a video call in 2024, and a probe was launched last year into the Trump administration's alleged intervention in investigations into the Tate brothers.

Sparks fly as GOP's top investigator breaks with Trump over Epstein files

Rep. James Comer (R-KY) admitted Thursday that he agrees with Vice President JD Vance's comments that the Trump administration and Department of Justice's rollout of the Epstein files has "been handled poorly," according to reports.

The House Oversight Committee Chairman, who has been leading the congressional investigation into the handling into the late financier and co-conspirators, told NOTUS that he agrees with Vance, who made the admission during an interview on Joe Rogan's podcast Wednesday.

"I agree with [Vance] 100%," Comer said.

Comer's remarks were considered "a notable escalation of criticism by the House Republican and underscores frustration in the party over the White House’s handling of information around the disgraced financier," NOTUS reported.

"I think 99.9% of Americans would agree with what the vice president said," Comer told NOTUS. "It’s been handled poorly, but a lot of the information has never been shared."

In an unusual break from the Trump administration, Vance told Rogan that the Trump administration had "mishandled the Epstein release."

The significant moment highlighted how the Epstein files have been a point of division among conservatives — both in and outside the White House.

Comer explained that the committee was continuing to pursue the additional DOJ unreleased materials.

"They’ve said they’ve turned over every document they can legally turn over," Comer said. "If you have documents you can’t legally turn over, explain to us why."

James Comer slams House GOP hardliners on CNN: 'Don't know when to declare victory'

Rep. James Comer (R-KY) slammed his own GOP colleagues for shutting down a compromise from the House Speaker.

CNN anchor Jake Tapper opened a segment on "The Lead" about GOP hardliners voting down Speaker Mike Johnson's (R-LA) effort to attach Trump's favored proof-of-citizenship voting bill, the Save America Act, to a must-pass defense bill as an amendment. He noted that they blocked it by tanking the procedural vote.

"I've had to deal with a few of these Republicans that continue to tank the procedural votes," Comer said. "We can't even vote on the bill, much less debate a bill."

Comer admitted that it's "very frustrating to be in Congress right now," and called out Rep. Anna Paulina Luna (R-FL) for leading the rejection of Johnson's amendment.

"I felt like Speaker Johnson gave them what they initially asked for, even though we've already passed the Save America Act," which is in the Senate. However, Comer noted that Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) said, "They don't have the votes to pass it."

According to Comer, it wasn't the only time he felt like the GOP hurt itself. He continued his criticism of GOP colleagues in the House by telling Tapper, "Sometimes, I feel like some of the Republicans don't know when to declare victory in many of the crusades that they lead."

Sighing in exasperation, Comer added, "I believe in the cause, but punishing the House for inaction in the Senate is not a good strategy for Republicans."

James Comer mocked over call to invalidate Biden pardons on Fox News: 'Be careful'

Rep. James Comer (R-KY) suggested on Monday that pardons issued by former President Joe Biden should be declared "null and void," prompting a wave of reactions online.

The Chairman of the House Oversight Committee appeared on Fox Business to discuss pardons, including the preemptive pardon issued by Biden for Dr. Anthony Fauci. In an explosive new Washington Post report, new details emerged involving former Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard's actions and her accusations that Fauci had led a COVID coverup.

Comer argued during the live interview that Biden had never held any meetings ahead of pardons.

"There's no evidence Joe Biden had any decision-making in the pardon process. So I think that, alone, is more than enough evidence to declare all the pardons issued by Joe Biden in the last days of his presidency null and void," Comer said.

The internet responded to the Republican lawmaker's claims, with experts raising questions over what Comer's remarks could mean for President Donald Trump's pardons.

"If Biden's pardons can be declared null and void, so can Trump's under the next president, and for the same reasons. Be careful what you wish for," writer and political commentator Gary Gifford, who has more than 34,000 followers, wrote on Bluesky.

"I would welcome the death of the pardon power!" John Castiglione, lawyer and assistant editor of The Steinbeck Review, wrote on Bluesky.

"Got his marching orders," Dr. Marina Archer, psychologist and progressive commentator with nearly 15,000 followers, wrote on Bluesky.

"When you run out of real talking points," Anthony M. Hopper, author and professor at ECPI University, wrote on X.

Comer calls on all of Biden's pardons issued on the last day of his presidency (especially the one for Fauci) to be "declared null and void"

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— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar.com) June 22, 2026 at 6:49 AM

James Comer mocked for eye-popping claim on Fox News: 'Not even trying to mask it'

Political analysts and observers referred to a GOP lawmaker as a "racist" after he made remarks that seemed to reveal his thinly veiled thoughts.

Rep. James Comer (R-KY) spoke about Medicaid fraud during a Fox News interview, where he said, "What we're seeing, especially in the blue states, is there is rampant fraud, especially in the minority communities."

He added, "The only way we're going to stop is if people are put in jail."

Commentators reacted to Comer's comments with disgust, accusing him of making a not-too-subtle racist remark.

"Ah yes, the black people! (sic) of course!" Alex Cole, a progressive news personality, wrote.

"James Comer, fraudster and rank racist," reacted Norman Ornstein, a political scientist and contributing editor for The Atlantic.

"When they write about how America collapsed, it will be because we allowed one of our political parties to get away with this sh—," wrote Rachel Bitecofer, a national political analyst and pollster.

"Remember in the pre-Trump era where they were subtle?" asked political writer Zaid Jilani.

"Here he is saying it out. 'Especially in the minority communities,'" former U.S. ambassador Luis Moreno posted. "Folks like Donald Trump Jr., Bankman-Fried, Brett Favre, nearly all of the white collar fraudsters pardoned by Trump would like a word."

"They are not even trying to mask it," agreed writer and editor Keith Murphy.

MAGA lawmaker claims GOP leadership may have set her up to make her look crazy

A MAGA congresswoman told a New York Times writer that she believes she was given the reins of a task force because it would make her look "a little crazy."

In an interview with Times columnist Ross Douthat, Rep. Anna Paulina Luna (R-FL) agreed with a suggestion about why congressional leadership assigned her to chair the Task Force on the Declassification of Federal Secrets.

Luna explained that Trump had been talking "about releasing the M.L.K., R.F.K. and J.F.K. files. We had this stuff outstanding with U.A.P. activity," referring to classified information about historical figures, UFOs, and assassinations.

Rep. James Comer (R-KY) set up a task force to follow through on Trump's promises, but "people were a little spooked about taking the position because of everything that it involved."

Luna said she knew "there was a stigma" with the task force before being assigned to chair it. "If you do this, people are going to think you're crazy," she said.

Douthat asked her, "Do you think that this was something that you were given in part because it was like, let's keep her busy, and also it might make her look a little crazy?"

Luna admitted, "I think so. I think maybe they anticipated that, but I also knew."

Republicans en masse skip Bondi's closed-door Epstein hearing

House Oversight Committee Chair Rep. James Comer (R-KY) was apparently the only Republican lawmaker attending the interview with former Attorney General Pam Bondi on Friday, MS NOW reported.

Sources told MS NOW that the atmosphere in the room was tense as Bondi appeared frustrated over the questions during the closed-door, transcribed interview with lawmakers as they continued their investigation into late financier and convicted child sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

Rep. Melanie Stansbury (D-NM) commented that Republicans had skipped the Bondi interview — and called them out.

"I want to point out there's not a single Republican in the room besides the chairman [Comer]," Stansbury said, adding, "For a supposed group of individuals who care deeply about justice for the survivors, not a single one could be bothered to travel across the country today."

"It's sort of a curious fact of today's closed door transcribed interview, because the thing that set this all in motion was the fact that the Oversight Committee back in March had voted to subpoena Pam Bondi when she was still attorney general," MS NOW Congressional reporter Mychael Schnell told anchor Chris Jansing.

"And the reason why it was successful was because there were five Republicans who crossed ranks and joined that effort make putting it over the finish line, which was a stunning, stunning move considering the fact that President Trump, on a number of occasions has tried to push back on the Epstein files and the investigation overall, whether or not you know why they're not here today, as you mentioned, James Comer is here," Schnell said. "We did hear from him earlier. It's worth noting that currently Congress is out of session. They're on recess. So members are back home in their districts. Of course, that doesn't take away from the fact that they could have come into town for such an important interview. So certainly an interesting fact here as we go through the motions of this transcribed interview. But certainly Comer said that he was going to be asking Pam Bondi all the questions that the survivors had raised, including about redactions, withholding and Ghislaine Maxwell's prison sentence."

Bondi's comments had prompted questions over whether the committee would subpoena Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche, who at the time was Bondi's deputy, and current FBI Director Kash Patel, Jansing said.

But that could be difficult to do, said MS NOW Senior Legal Reporter Lisa Rubin, and Republicans could have deliberately chosen not to show up.

"Certainly it would be hard for the committee today to vote on a subpoena like that because they don't have the votes," Rubin explained.

"Chairman Comer would have to be the one to initiate that vote, but also authorize the subpoena," Rubin said. "And I think that this today, the transcribed interview was conveniently scheduled in a way that many Republicans would not be there, meaning they gave the Democrats the interview that they were seeking after having subpoenaed Pam Bondi. But they set it up at a time where she would not be subject to hard questions from members of her own party."

There could be more questioning to come for both Blanche and Patel, Rubin added.

"In terms of Todd Blanche and Kash Patel, those are absolutely people to whom these questions should be directed," Rubin said. "And I have to say this may be inconvenient for some of the Democrats, but it was absolutely predictable and intelligible, legally, that Pam Bondi would say that she could not discuss her conversations with the president. That is something that is protected by executive privilege."

James Comer sweats as he's cornered by Epstein survivors before Pam Bondi grilling

Three Epstein survivors confronted Rep. James Comer (R-KY) in a moment that made the GOP lawmaker visibly uncomfortable, just minutes before a closed-door interview with former Attorney General Pam Bondi was set to question her on Friday about deceased sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein.

As Comer was taking questions from the press, he was forced to respond to the victims who were on Capitol Hill before the House Oversight Committee meeting. The closed-door interview was not videotaped but was expected to focus on the "sloppy rollout of the Epstein files," MS NOW anchor Ali Vitali reported.

"In a remarkable moment just a short time ago, a group of Epstein survivors peppered oversight committee Chair James Comer with their own questions ahead of Bondi's session," Vitali said.

"These people cannot be brought in under transcribed interviews. Can you ensure that they would please be brought in under oath?" Sharlene Rochard, an Epstein survivor, asked Comer.

The chairman of the committee seemed surprised by the line of questioning.

"If you lie to Congress, it's a felony," Comer said. "So it's, you know, we're bringing them in. We're bringing people in that have never been brought in before."

"Survivors' names over and over and over were exposed," Liz Stein, Epstein survivor, told Comer. "Yet we see time and time again, perpetrators names have been redacted when they shouldn't have been. Are we going to get some answers?"

Comer responded.

"I hope so, those are the questions we're going to ask," he said. "And you know, we're doing this. We want justice for the survivors."

Vitali commented on the moment.

"Stunning to see them confront Comer themselves," Vitali added.

James Comer gets more than he can handle from Newsmax host: 'Sounds like a false flag'

A GOP congressman had a hard time during an appearance on Newsmax selling the Trump administration's newest moves against a foreign country.

Rep. James Comer (R-KY) was trying to convince Newsmax anchor Rob Finnerty that the United States needed to take action against Cuba and its former president, Raúl Castro. The Trump administration declared on Wednesday that it indicted Castro.

"I get it, the Ayatollah is gone, Nicolas Maduro is in jail, but now Cuba?" Finnerty said, shaking his head. "Look, I think people struggle with how this is America first, when gas is $4.55 a gallon right now."

Comer responded, "It is, and you're absolutely right," but then toed the Trump line by insisting that going after another foreign leader is necessary.

"Cuba has always been a national security threat," Comer said. "It's just minutes away from Miami."

"But do you really think they're a threat?" Finnerty asked.

"If some country went in and loaded Cuba with the same drones Iran had when we first started bombing Iran, then yes, I think it could be a threat," Comer answered. "We've got to be on guard because of the new types of warfare that's out there."

Finnerty didn't buy it, though.

"To me, this just sounds like we're just trying to make the case to attack Cuba," Finnerty said. "I don't buy it. It sounds like a false flag operation."