Democratic congressman Ro Khanna will bring Epstein survivor Haley Robson to President Donald Trump's State of the Union address tonight, in a bid to highlight the need for greater accountability in the Jeffrey Epstein scandal.
The California representative, co-author of the EpsteinTransparency Actwhich led to the release of millions of files on the late financier, said Robson's presence underscores the need for 'exposing America's two-tiered system of justice'. It comes as several Democrats invite survivors to the event, amid criticism of theTrump administration's handling of the case.
Haley Robson was 16when she was first trafficked by Epstein in Florida. She has spokenpublicly about the abuseshe endured, but police reports also show she recruited other girls for Epstein, receiving £148 ($200) for each introduction she made. Robson has described being drawn into Epstein's world and the fear that kept her involved.
'I'm honouredand it came as a wonderful surprise to have been invited,' she said regarding Khanna's gesture. A registered Republican who voted for Trump in 2024, Robson later withdrew her support, expressing disgust at the administration's delays in releasing the Epstein files and calling for full transparency.
Her experience illustrates the complicated positions some survivors found themselves in, often coerced into roles within the ring. Now, she campaigns for justice, standing with other survivors to demand action.
Khanna's choice to invite Robson is part of a concerted effort by at least half a dozen House Democrats to bring Epstein survivors to theState of the Union. Others include Rep Jamie Raskin and Rep Suhas Subramanyam, who are bringing family members of the lateVirginia Giuffre, and Rep Robert Garcia with survivorAnnie Farmer.
The goal is to press Trump on his administration's alleged reluctance to release all Epstein files, despite the Transparency Act. 'Haley's courageous fightis proof that this isn't about politics, it's about exposing America's two-tiered system of justice and bringing accountability to the Epstein class,' Khanna stated.
The initiative has bipartisan elements, with Republican Rep Thomas Massie suggesting up to12 survivorscould be present. Meanwhile, some Democrats are skipping the speech to attend a 'People's State of the Union' on the National Mall. The tactic is hardly unexpected, given persistent concerns over file redactions and a lack of prosecutions.
Trump has labelled the Epstein files a 'Democrat hoax'. His previous association with Epstein is well-known, although he cut ties after the allegations surfaced. Survivors have lambasted the Justice Department, led byAttorney General Pam Bondi, for insufficient pursuit of potential accomplices.
In a post onX today, Khanna pointed to the arrest of former UK Ambassador to the United States Lord Peter Mandelson over alleged Epstein links, contrasting it with US inertia. 'But here in the United States of America? Nothing,' he noted. This development underscores the international ramifications of Epstein's network.
Source: International Business Times UK
