House Oversight and Government Reform Committee Chairman James Comer (R-Ky.) joined House Republican leaders on Tuesday to call for Senate Democrats to reopen the federal government, which has been shut down for 21 days. Speaking alongside Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.), Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-La.), Majority Whip Tom Emmer (R-Minn.), and Conference Chairwoman Lisa McClain (R-Mich.), Comer criticized Democrats for what he described as political distractions related to former President Donald Trump and the Jeffrey Epstein case.
Comer addressed ongoing concerns about the investigation into the federal government's handling of the Jeffrey Epstein case, stating that no evidence implicates Trump. "Let me be clear: No one is protecting Epstein or his associates," Comer said. "The House Oversight Committee is conducting a thorough review of the federal government’s handling of the Epstein investigation—one that goes far beyond the discharge petition the Legacy Media is obsessed with."
He noted that the committee has released about 43,000 pages of documents and issued 13 subpoenas as part of its investigation. The committee has also conducted a deposition with former U.S. Attorney General Bill Barr and a transcribed interview with former U.S. Labor Secretary Alex Acosta. According to Comer, these interviews found no connection between Trump and Epstein's criminal activity.
"Barr stated there was no evidence that President Trump was involved in Epstein’s criminal activity," Comer said. "Acosta confirmed there was no contact with President Trump during the Florida case—no link, no conversations, nothing."
Comer accused Democrats, particularly Ranking Member Garcia, of continuing to spread false information about Trump despite these findings. He claimed that Oversight Committee Democrats have posted about Epstein nearly 60 times on social media since the shutdown began, compared to one post about essential federal workers missing paychecks.
"Democrats need to stop playing games and vote to reopen the government," Comer concluded.
James Comer has represented Kentucky’s 1st district in Congress since 2016, after succeeding Ed Whitfield. He previously served in the Kentucky House of Representatives from 2001 to 2012 and was born in Carthage, Tennessee in 1972. Comer holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Western Kentucky University, earned in 1993.
