Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-Md.) has sent a letter to top Trump administration officials arguing that emails from Jeffrey Epstein to world leaders indicate the late sex offender should have registered as a foreign agent under the Foreign Agents Registration Act.
The communications, which Raskin obtained through committee oversight requests, include messages showing Epstein sought to capitalize on his relationship with President Trump, according to the Maryland Democrat's letter addressed to Attorney General Pam Bondi and other officials at the Justice Department and State Department.
What the Left Is Saying
Raskin, a member of the House Judiciary Committee, argued in the letter that Epstein's communications with foreign leaders potentially violated FARA, which requires individuals lobbying on behalf of foreign governments or entities to register with the Justice Department.
The congressman wrote that Epstein cultivated relationships with multiple world leaders and attempted to leverage those connections for financial gain. "These communications suggest Mr. Epstein was engaged in lobbying or advocacy on behalf of foreign interests without proper registration," Raskin stated in the letter.
Raskin called on the administration to investigate whether Epstein's activities required FARA compliance during his lifetime, noting that the statute of limitations could still be relevant for associated individuals who may have facilitated any potential violations.
What the Right Is Saying
House Republicans have not issued a formal response to Raskin's letter as of publication. Some Republican members have previously noted the sensitivity of Epstein-related investigations given the multiple ongoing criminal probes and civil litigations involving his network.
Administration officials have not commented publicly on whether they plan to pursue FARA enforcement related to Epstein's historical communications with foreign leaders.
What the Numbers Show
The Foreign Agents Registration Act has seen increased enforcement activity in recent years. The Justice Department's NSD reported 245 active FARA registrations as of fiscal year 2025, with the unit pursuing several high-profile cases of undisclosed foreign influence.
Epstein's communications with world leaders span multiple countries over at least a decade, according to publicly available records and court documents from various litigations involving his estate.
The Bottom Line
Raskin's letter marks another congressional attempt to investigate Epstein's network following his death in 2019. Whether the administration pursues FARA enforcement depends on how officials assess the evidentiary record and whether they determine any viable legal path forward given Epstein's deceased status.