Congressional Investigator Accuses Trump DOJ of Halting Epstein Ranch Probe
The lead congressional investigator examining the Jeffrey Epstein case has publicly asserted that the Department of Justice under former President Donald Trump failed by terminating a crucial investigation into the sex offender's sprawling New Mexico ranch. House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer, a Republican ally of Trump who is spearheading the Epstein inquiry, made these allegations during a Tuesday statement.
Federal Intervention in 2019 State Investigation
During Trump's first term in 2019, New Mexico state authorities were actively investigating Epstein's Zorro Ranch, a remote 30,000-square-foot mansion situated on expansive grasslands. However, according to Comer, Trump's Justice Department intervened, taking control of the case from local investigators and subsequently shutting down their probe entirely. 'The federal government asked New Mexico to stop their investigation, I believe, back in 2019 of that ranch,' Comer stated.
Epstein died later that year in his jail cell while awaiting federal sex trafficking trial, with authorities officially ruling his death a suicide. Comer expressed profound confusion over the federal government's actions, questioning why the investigation was halted. 'So there’s just so many questions about how the government failed, the victims and how government failed in trying to prosecute Epstein sooner. I mean, this whole thing doesn’t make sense,' he added.
Zorro Ranch: Alleged Site of Heinous Crimes
Zorro Ranch, located approximately 30 miles south of Santa Fe, New Mexico, has long been alleged as a site of significant criminal activity. Self-proclaimed victims of Epstein have consistently reported being abused at the property. More shockingly, recently released Department of Justice files contain claims that two foreign women were killed during 'rough sex' at the ranch and subsequently buried on the premises.
Although these specific allegations have faced considerable scrutiny, they have prompted local authorities to reopen the investigation into the ranch. New Mexico State Attorney General Raul Torrez confirmed that state investigators began searching the property on Monday, citing 'revelations outlined in the previously sealed FBI files' as justification for renewed examination.
Unanswered Questions and Federal Silence
Comer specifically identified the DOJ's Southern District of New York office as responsible for shutting down the 2019 local probe. 'It was the Department of Justice, I believe. And I believe it was because they had– I believe, it perhaps was Southern District of New York because they had taken over the investigation at that point,' he explained.
Critical questions remain unanswered regarding whether federal authorities ever conducted searches of the 7,500-acre property. Some emails within the DOJ Epstein trove suggest federal authorities never searched Zorro Ranch. The FBI declined to comment on allegations that it never searched the property, and the DOJ did not immediately respond to media inquiries about the case.
Disturbing Allegations from Former Staff Member
Among the most disturbing revelations is an email released by the DOJ earlier this year, sent by a person claiming to have worked for Epstein. This correspondence alleges that Epstein ordered the burial of two 'foreign girls' near his ranch after they were strangled to death during 'rough, fetish sex.' The email, originally sent to a man named Eddy Aragon on November 21, 2019, before being forwarded to the FBI, was titled 'Confidential: Jeffrey Epstein.'
The apparent sender, whose name has been redacted, claimed to have 'been there and seen it all, as a former staff at the Zorro.' The sender alleged the girls were buried on the orders of Epstein and 'Madam G,' believed to be Ghislaine Maxwell, Epstein's close associate. The email included links to videos purportedly showing Epstein engaging in sexual activities with minors and demanded payment of one Bitcoin in exchange for the information.
Congressional Determination to Uncover Truth
Comer emphasized the congressional committee's commitment to uncovering the truth behind Epstein's operations and the government's handling of investigations. 'Everyone has conspiracy theories on how Epstein was able to get away with it,' Comer noted. 'Was it because he had powerful friends? Was it because he was an agent? We don’t know, but we’re gonna find out and I’m glad that they’re on the ground now in New Mexico searching that property.'
The reopening of the Zorro Ranch investigation marks a significant development in the ongoing Epstein saga, raising serious questions about federal intervention during the Trump administration and the pursuit of justice for alleged victims.
