NYT - Democrats Ask That Trump Cabinet Picks Produce Communications With Epshteyn (free link)

The two top Democrats on the Senate Judiciary Committee said prospective nominees should be prepared to testify about any discussions with Boris Epshteyn about their selections.



By Annie Karni and Maggie Haberman
Dec. 12, 2024, 2:54 p.m. ET

The two top Democrats on the Senate Judiciary Committee on Thursday told Republicans they want President-elect Donald J. Trump’s cabinet picks to hand over all of their communications with Boris Epshteyn, Mr. Trump’s top legal adviser, amid allegations that he sought money in exchange for promoting potential nominees.

Senators Richard J. Durbin of Illinois, the panel’s chairman, and Sheldon Whitehouse of Rhode Island, the chairman of its oversight subcommittee, said they want the material because of public reports that Mr. Epshteyn has been “accused of running a pay-to-play scheme involving potential presidential appointments.”

“All nominees appearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee should immediately act to retain all communications with Mr. Epshteyn, provide those materials to the committee well in advance of their hearing date and be prepared to testify regarding any discussions with Mr. Epshteyn about receiving a potential appointment in the incoming administration,” they wrote.

The letter, which was obtained by The New York Times, was addressed to the top two Republicans on the committee, Senators Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, the ranking member, and Charles E. Grassley of Iowa, who is in line to lead the panel in January.

Mr. Whitehouse and Mr. Durbin said they had no comment about their plans beyond what was stated in their letter.

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