On Wednesday, former Obama White House counsel Kathryn Ruemmler faced intense questioning by the House Oversight Committee. Members scrutinized her account of a prolonged relationship with the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
Ruemmler, who resigned as Goldman Sachs’ top lawyer due to scrutiny over Epstein ties, attended a closed-door interview. This was part of the committee’s investigation into Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell, his associate and convicted sex trafficker. Lawmakers questioned Ruemmler’s claim of a limited relationship with Epstein.
Democratic lawmakers criticized her assertion that she should have been interviewed under oath. “She was desperately trying to distance herself from Epstein, but the reality is, we have the emails,” stated Rep. Suhas Subramanyam from Virginia. It was evident she maintained a friendly relationship with Epstein.
Emails from the Justice Department revealed that Ruemmler met with Epstein multiple times, exchanging emails and gifts long after his 2008 conviction. Their association began in 2014 and continued until 2019. Epstein died by suicide in August 2019, awaiting trial on federal sex trafficking charges.
Ruemmler has denied any wrongdoing and claimed ignorance of Epstein’s criminal activities during their contact. House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer expressed concern over her relationship with Epstein. He noted her efforts to rehabilitate Epstein’s image after his conviction.
In statements to reporters, Committee ranking member Robert Garcia contested Ruemmler’s honesty in her testimony. “She had an ongoing personal friendship with someone convicted of sexual assault with a minor, and she has no explanation for why she continued that relationship,” Garcia explained.