1. United States
2. Texas
3. Letter

I am writing to you as a concerned constituent to express my strong opposition to the recent call for a public congressional hearing featuring the survivors of Jeffrey Epstein. While the stated goal of providing a platform may appear just, I urge you to recognize the potential for this environment to be weaponized against the very individuals it claims to support. The history of high-profile congressional testimony is fraught with instances where survivors were brought before the cameras not to find justice, but to be systematically discredited. We must remember the 1991 Clarence Thomas confirmation hearings, where Anita Hill was subjected to a public character assassination that served to protect a powerful man's path to the Supreme Court rather than uncover the truth. I am deeply concerned that a public hearing at this moment would serve as a similar "trap." By placing survivors—who have already endured unimaginable trauma—in a highly politicized, adversarial environment, we risk: - Secondary Victimization: Forcing survivors to undergo aggressive cross-examination by partisan actors intent on protecting political allies. - Reputational Destruction: Using the hearing as a tool to find "inconsistencies" to exonerate powerful associates of Epstein rather than seeking systemic accountability. - Diversion from Concrete Action: Shifting the focus away from the Department of Justice’s responsibility to pursue criminal prosecutions. True justice for these survivors does not require a televised spectacle that could be used to "Anita Hill" them. Instead, I ask that you focus your efforts on the unconditional release of all unredacted files regarding the relationship between Donald Trump and Jeffrey Epstein, as transparency within the historical record is the only way to ensure the full truth is known without exposing survivors to further public harm. Furthermore, the public deserves to know the context behind why Donald Trump is reportedly mentioned over one million times within these investigative files. I also ask that you ensure survivors are consulted privately and safely by investigators who are not seeking political leverage. Please stand against the push for public hearings that prioritize political exoneration over survivor well-being and the pursuit of objective truth.