Robert Garcia, D-Calif., made the request in a letter Friday to representatives of Epstein’s estate. While the request does not carry the weight of a congressional subpoena, it comes amid ongoing controversy over the Trump administration's handling of files related to the Epstein investigations. Democratic lawmakers said they hope to obtain the book by August 10, the day before the House Oversight Committee is set to subpoena longtime Epstein associate Ghislaine Maxwell for testimony, according to multiple outlets.
Recent public reports indicate that the estate of Jeffrey Epstein possesses a document commonly known as 'the birthday book,' compiled by Ghislaine Maxwell in 2003 to celebrate the Mr. Epstein's 50th birthday, which has clear relevance to this case, the letter to Epstein's representatives states.
The book is relevant to Congress's ongoing oversight of the Justice Department's handling of the investigation and prosecution of Epstein, as well as to the Trump Administration's decision to declassify and release only some documents from its Epstein files, while withholding others from the public, the letter says.
A prominent lawyer who has represented hundreds of Epstein victims testified in a television interview this week that the book was in the possession of the testator's estate.
The Democrats' letter notes that given the subpoena seeking the deposition of Maxwell, who allegedly compiled the book, the committee "should be allowed to review its contents" before interviewing her.
Trump has denied the letter's existence and filed a $10 billion defamation lawsuit against The Wall Street Journal.
