Congressman Claims DOJ Told New Mexico to Stand Down on Epstein Ranch Probe

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During a Fox News interview, Rep. James Comer (R-KY) alleged that the Department of Justice, under the Trump administration's first term, told New Mexico authorities to halt their investigation into Jeffrey Epstein's Zorro Ranch. Comer, the chairman of the House Oversight Committee, believes the request came from the Southern District of New York, which was leading the federal probe into Epstein at the time.

Why it matters

Comer's claims raise new questions about the extent of the government's involvement in the Epstein case and whether authorities were pressured to limit their investigations into the disgraced financier's alleged activities. The Zorro Ranch has long been a source of speculation and conspiracy theories, and Comer's statements suggest there may have been an effort to prevent a thorough examination of the property.

The details

According to Comer, New Mexico authorities began investigating Epstein's Zorro Ranch in 2019, but were told by the DOJ to stand down. Comer believes this request came from the Southern District of New York, which was leading the federal probe into Epstein at the time. Comer stated that the property had likely never been thoroughly searched before, and that the public has many unanswered questions about potential wrongdoing that may have occurred at the ranch.

• In 2019, New Mexico authorities began investigating Epstein's Zorro Ranch.
• The DOJ allegedly told the New Mexico authorities to stand down from their investigation.

What they’re saying

What’s next

The House Oversight Committee, led by Comer, is likely to investigate further into the DOJ's alleged directive to New Mexico authorities regarding the Epstein ranch probe.