Democratic Lawmakers Challenge Trump's Fed Chair Nominee to Explain Epstein Connection

Democratic Senator Elizabeth Warren has called on President Donald Trump to explain why Kevin W. Wash, whom Trump nominated as Federal Reserve Chair, was mentioned in documents related to Jeffrey Epstein released by the Department of Justice.

Warren focused on two emails indicating that Wash may have been invited to attend events seemingly organized by Epstein. She cited media reports stating that one event took place in December 2010 on the Caribbean island of St. Barthélemy, and another in New York in September 2010.

Kevin W. Wash

The documents do not specify whether Wash attended these events, and he has not been accused of any misconduct.

Wash’s spokesperson has not responded to requests for comment. Wash himself has not publicly commented on his mention in Epstein’s files.

On Thursday, Warren pressed Wash in a letter, asking whether he had traveled to St. Barthélemy before or after the events. She also asked him to disclose whether he participated in these events or had contact with Epstein or his associate Ghislaine Maxwell.

Additionally, Warren inquired whether Trump or any of his family members attended the New York event. According to news reports Warren cited, the invitation list for the New York event included Trump, his wife Melania, daughter Ivanka Trump, son-in-law Jared Kushner, and his then-wife Vanessa.

Warren is a member of the Senate Banking Committee responsible for reviewing Fed nominees. The committee has not yet scheduled a confirmation hearing for Wash. She demanded that Wash respond by March 31.

Epstein admitted in 2008 to soliciting minors for prostitution and died in jail in 2019 while awaiting federal sex trafficking charges. His former girlfriend Maxwell was convicted of sex trafficking in 2021 and is currently serving a 20-year sentence.