Yassamin Ansari Doesn't Let Up When Grilling Top Trump FBI Official Over Epstein Files Controversy

Forbes Breaking News

During a House Natural Resources Committee hearing on Tuesday, Rep. Yassamin Anasari (D-AZ) asked Acting Section Chief of the FBI's Violent Crimes Unit, Justin Garris about the Jeffrey Epstein Files.

Transcript

00:00The gentlelady from Arizona, Ms. Ansari, is now recognized for her five minutes.

00:03Thank you, Mr. Chair. I'd like to thank our witnesses for being here today.

00:07The fentanyl crisis fueled by transnational cartels has devastated our tribal communities.

00:13This should not be a partisan issue, and we can all agree that our tribal communities deserve better.

00:18Unfortunately, the Trump administration's actions have not reflected that.

00:22In March, Doge and the Trump administration closed 12 Indian Health Service offices and facilities across the country

00:29which will worsen health disparities for tribal communities.

00:33While that's the topic at hand today, I would be remiss if I did not take this opportunity

00:37to address a topic that is top of mind for so many Americans while we have a witness from the FBI in front of us.

00:45Since day one of his presidency, Donald Trump has shown that he has absolutely no regard for the rule of law.

00:51In fact, one of his first actions as president was pardoning over 1,500 violent insurrectionists

00:58who invaded the Capitol on January 6th.

01:00At the Department of Justice, we've seen hundreds of career employees fired for politically motivated reasons,

01:07including attorneys who worked under special counsel Jack Smith as part of the investigation into President Trump

01:13and others who worked on the prosecutions of January 6th defendants.

01:18Most recently, the administration dismissed federal prosecutor Maureen Comey,

01:23who had worked on high-profile cases such as those of Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell.

01:29These firings show an extremely concerning pattern of the president retaliating against the Justice Department officials

01:36who were involved in cases the president was personally connected to.

01:41Mr. Garris, it was reported recently that FBI agents reviewing the Epstein files for potential release

01:48to flag any documents relating to Epstein's case that made any mention of Donald Trump.

01:55Yes or no, are you aware of any such directive, firsthand or by media accounts?

02:02My apologies, ma'am. I am not privy to any of that information.

02:06Did you – have you heard about this via media accounts or any such directive? Are you aware of this?

02:13I saw something in one of the media outlets, and that's about the extent.

02:17And yes or no, in your career at the FBI, have you ever experienced such a directive

02:24to scrub politically sensitive materials from a high-profile case?

02:30Negative from my end, ma'am.

02:32Yes or no, are you aware of any other directives given to FBI staff regarding the president's involvement

02:38in the Epstein case or other ongoing investigations?

02:41That's a negative from my end, ma'am.

02:43And at his confirmation hearing in January, Director Cash Patel stated that the FBI must be independent,

02:50that's his quote, and pledged that the Bureau's work would not be influenced by political considerations.

02:56Yes or no, would such a directive be consistent with the statements made by Director Patel?

03:06Can you repeat that?

03:07So the director of your agency said that the FBI must be independent.

03:13And as we mentioned, there have been accounts of a directive being made to leadership at the FBI

03:19to scrub any materials that may mention President Trump as part of the Epstein files.

03:26Would such a directive that you – I understand you've heard about through media accounts,

03:30but haven't personally experienced, would that be in conflict with the director's intention for the agency

03:37that the FBI's work must be independent of political motivations?

03:41It would be in conflict, but I can tell you as FBI agents, and I know Director Patel,

03:47we uphold the Constitution and we protect our communities.

03:50Those are two things we excel at with our partners.

03:52That's great to hear.

03:55So lastly, yes or no, in your preparation for this hearing,

03:59did you receive any direction, request, or suggestion regarding the Epstein files?

04:05Negative, ma'am.

04:06And just finally want to remind you that under federal law,

04:09it's a crime to knowingly and willfully conceal something from or make a false statement to Congress.

04:14So I just want to make sure you have no clarification to your response.

04:18No issues, ma'am.

04:19And I swore an oath as a Marine, too, to support and defend the Constitution

04:23against all enemies, foreign and domestic.

04:25I'm really, really glad to hear that,

04:27that the Trump administration hasn't interfered with your work at the FBI.

04:33We have heard that thousands of employees,

04:35and specifically the people investigating the Epstein case,

04:38are facing unacceptable levels of political interference from the highest levels.

04:42It's outrageous, and you may know that this week,

04:46Republican leadership is canceling votes to conceal the truth here.

04:49I appreciate you answering the questions.

04:51We'll continue to demand full release of these files

04:54so that the American people can see what Donald Trump is hiding behind.

04:58Thank you, and I yield back.

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