New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez
Alexandria Ocasio-CortezThe Memo: Outrage rises among liberals over Israel Battle lines drawn over Biden's support for vaccine waivers Overnight Energy: Update on Biden administration conservation goals | GOP sees opportunity to knock Biden amid rising gas prices | Push for nationwide electric vehicle charging stations MORE (D) led public calls Saturday demanding answers after disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein was found dead in his Manhattan jail cell due to an apparent suicide.
“We need answers. Lots of them,” Ocasio-Cortez, a member of the House Oversight and Reform Committee, tweeted.
We need answers. Lots of them.https://t.co/4DMckiZnVB
— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) August 10, 2019
Multiple media outlets reported Saturday that Epstein's body was discovered in his jail cell about 7:30 a.m. at the Metropolitan Correctional Center (MCC).
Many immediately began questioning the details surrounding his death after Epstein was reportedly put on suicide watch in late July following a possible suicide attempt.
“He reportedly tried to kill himself two weeks ago. And is allowed to finish the job now? Bullshit,” MSNBC host Joe Scarborough
Charles (Joe) Joseph ScarboroughBiden's poor TV ratings against Trump is exactly what this administration wants Mayor de Blasio announces New York City to 'fully reopen' on July 1 Scarborough slams Jordan for spreading 'lies' about Fauci: 'It's sheer idiocy' MORE tweeted.
He reportedly tried to kill himself two weeks ago. And is allowed to finish the job now? Bullshit.
— Joe Scarborough (@JoeNBC) August 10, 2019
The MCC did not immediately return requests for comment from The Hill on Saturday morning.
Epstein was in prison awaiting trial over charges of sex trafficking minors, to which he had pleaded not guilty.
His suicide comes a day after testimony was released from a woman who said she was one of his victims that unveiled the inner workings of his alleged operation.
Rep. Matt Gaetz
Matthew (Matt) GaetzGOP braces for wild week with momentous vote Gaetz, Greene tout push to oust Cheney: 'Maybe we're the leaders' Rural community leaders call on Gaetz, Greene to 'stop dividing America' ahead of US tour MORE (R-Fla.), who sits on the Judiciary Committee, called on the panel's chairman Rep. Jerrold Nadler
Jerrold (Jerry) Lewis NadlerHouse to consider anti-Asian hate crimes bill, protections for pregnant workers this month A historic moment to truly honor mothers Britney Spears to discuss conservatorship in court MORE (D-N.Y.) to prioritize investigating the circumstances around Epstein’s death over other probes being carried out by the committee.
“Chairman @RepJerryNadler should prioritize a Judiciary investigation into how Jeffrey Epstein died in federal custody (in Nadler’s own neighborhood!) over the Kavanaugh confirmation (which already happened), and the Russia hoax (which never happened),” Gaetz tweeted.
I agree @AOC.
— Rep. Matt Gaetz (@RepMattGaetz) August 10, 2019
Chairman @RepJerryNadler should prioritize a Judiciary investigation into how Jeffrey Epstein died in federal custody (in Nadler’s own neighborhood!) over the Kavanaugh confirmation (which already happened), and the Russia hoax (which never happened).
Epstein served 13 months in jail about 10 years ago after reaching a deal with prosecutors that has been panned as too lenient. He was arrested in July and charged with trafficking underage girls from 2002 to 2005.
– John Bowden contributed reporting
